I have had nine children. I was two years between my first three
babies. I suffered least from these three, but for about six weeks
before birth, and six after, I could scarcely get about--pains all
over, with a very bad back, and very much swollen legs and feet. Being
a little, light-made woman, my confinements were very severe.
My fourth baby died when six weeks old--a cross-birth. Was much torn
in consequence, so had to be stitched a good deal; was bad, and could
scarcely get about at two months after. Neither before for weeks, nor
after, could I have offered to have washed, baked, or done any work
of any moment. Every confinement after this I got worse and worse.
The same thing happened. Very sick for three or four months before
confinement, pains all over, very bad back, legs and feet very much
swollen; could not lie in bed long at a time, could get very little
rest or sleep; impossible to wash, bake, or do much housework. But
had a very good husband, who helped me all he could, and some sisters
who came in turn and did as much as they could in my home for me. My
husband’s wages were very small at times, sometimes only 18s. a week,
other times £1 a week, and up to 30s. In my husband’s trade wages is
very much up and down. Then we had a strike of eleven weeks, then short
time for five months, then out of work fifteen weeks; and when one of
my children was born three weeks, then over two years working four days
per week. So you see there was not much money to get nourishment with.
That all happened during the time I was having my children, so of
course I was pretty put to sometimes. I could not have afforded to get
anyone in the house if I had had to pay them all the time that I needed
them, but had to prepare for a nurse each time, as I had to have one
for a month at least, and after that month my sisters help. We had to
do the best we could.
My last two confinements I was not able to come downstairs for about
three and four months--no strength to walk, no appetite, and with being
so much torn had then to come downstairs for a long time on my hips
(slide down, as it were). When able to get about, could scarcely walk
owing to my condition.
_Wages 18s. to 30s.; nine children._