More Info →Foxton Maternity Home 1942-1982 Page 29

Description

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On cold nights, in those times you would put a heater on in the delivery room. This particular time, it was a bit close to the doctor's side of the theatre bed. His apron caught fire! I wondered why he was yelling! I managed to put the burning apron out with my hands. He managed to help the patient to be delivered. She was yelling as well and that was understandable! Later, I made Doctor and Matron a cup of tea and he said thank you for remaining calm in spite of the drama. (sadly, this Doctor is no longer with us).

Sometimes there would be a spate of mothers come in and the little ward would be busy and of course so was the little nursery. Some of the babies would need special feeds in the night if they were crying overly much. Just a little drink of cooled boiled water and they would sleep through the night.

After their first feed in the morning,- the babies were weighed, and their progress noted in a special book. The babies would be placed into a knotted napkin and weighed with a spring loaded hook on the end just like the butchers used to weigh their meat. The babies were safe, as they were weighed over the bench with a soft pillow on it, and lifted only a fraction above the pillow.

Early in the morning I would light the old copper and make sure the napkins had boiled for about half an hour,-(after washing them in cold water first by hand, having scrubbed off all the soiled ones.) After that process, they would be hung out in the dark. Not much fun on a cold frosty morning. I would have to make sure there was enough fire-wood handy for the next mornings wash, and chop up as much kindling as was needed.

I have wondered at times how those babies I had a hand in looking after and helping to deliver into the world were getting on in their lives.

I was there in 1952 and 1953 and a few months of 1954, before I went off to general training. They would be 51, 52, and 53 years old this year of 2005.

I loved my time at the Maternity Home and have very fond memories of a wonderful staff and those many lovely patients and babies.

Thank you Carmenita O'Connell (nee Clapham)
(Former nurse-aid)

My Mode Of Transport,

from the beach to work at the maternity home was on a push bike, but once I had some bloke in a car try to stop me and get me off my bike but of course I just peddled faster, and thank goodness another car came along...After this, my Dad encouraged me to purchase a, 'moped,' which I did. (They had just become popular) It was blue and named, Victoria', (Vicky) for short. (It was the first in the district and the local Traffic Officer Mr Coddington,) even had a ride on it!) It was so good to become independent, but sometimes Vicki was temperamental and my dad insisted that I tune it up myself from instructions in the handbook. I remember being so frustrated and angry when the [continued on page 32]

Identification

Date

2005