I have had two average children--one a boy aged nine years, the other
a girl aged four years. As regards pregnancy, I had general good
health--though I felt rather faint at times in the first and second
month--up to the seventh month, and then I used to feel rather bad
some days--cramp in my legs, etc. I have been able to keep my house
going up to the time of confinement (my husband being a mechanic, I
had to do the housework and washing and cooking). I must tell you I am
a teetotaler, and during pregnancy I used every morning to take fine
groats with plenty of milk. I still took them every morning and evening
after my babies were born, and I had sufficient milk for them until I
weaned them, starting from ten months and finishing them altogether at
one year. Neither of them had any fits or convulsions, my boy’s first
illness being at the age of five and half years, and my little girl
has not had an illness yet. At the present time they are both well in
health. I think I should dearly like to see State maternity nurses, for
this way there is the greatest difficulty in securing a nurse. I know
from one or two of my friends and from my own experience we were all
greatly worried at not being able to secure good nurses. As you are
aware, many of them drink, and others don’t care to come when there
are other children to look after. I had a doctor, and had to pay 14s.
a week for a nurse. I think expectant mothers should not be allowed to
work in factories, etc., when they are pregnant, for you want as much
fresh air as possible.
Taking an average year, with all holidays, I think my husband’s wages
would amount to 35s. weekly. He is in the black line and a Socialist,
and we both cannot think how working people, especially Co-operators,
can be otherwise.
_Wages 35s.; two children, one miscarriage._