More Info →Foxton Maternity Home 1942-1982 Page 26

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hours off either a.m. or p.m. or finished at five pm.

I enjoyed work at Foxton, - it was only one year but a very happy one.

Thanks to Barbara Heggie (nee Whiteley)
(Nursing Sister)

One Nurse-aids Memories Of Foxton Maternity Home

I began work there just before my 15th birthday during August school holidays.

On my second day I watched my first birth. Doctor Teppett was on duty. (His patient). It was a breech-birth, a rotten time for the patient and I at the time did not know that the birth wasn't "normal". Being a young person I wasn't aware of how babies were made or where they came out! Greenie Jeanie Doctor Teppett named me. He was also in there a week later for a second birth which was normal thank goodness. From then on Doctor Teppett would always give me a running commentary of what or why this or that was happening, and also say, "Come over here Jeannie" and then shove my face close to whatever and wherever he wanted me to view and he explained all events. A truly wonderful man and teacher.

I also recall the day the Matron at the time slipped and fell on the wet hall floor, (I had a mop and wringer bucket). The Matron wore white stockings and high block-heeled white shoes. She had skinny malinky legs and was tall. I remember leaning on the mop, laughing my head off, before I remembered to bend down to help her up!

She also ended up chuckling at my helpless laughter. This very same Matron told a patient (there were three in labour at the time) "No you are not ready to deliver for hours yet and promptly went off to bed and left me to it... This Mum-in-Waiting, fifteen minutes later wanted to,"Push". I didn't have time to ring the bell for the Matron. The baby arrived duly into my hands! An awesome but scary time! All ended well I might add.

During my time as a nurse-aid I was extremely fortunate to see the arrival of twins. I think Sister Lash was on duty at the time. I remember a few times patients being doused in kerosene (their hair) and tied up in white rags, like ringlets, to kill the living bugs.

These rags were left in until the patient was going home.

I detested night duty as one always felt vulnerable, and many of the windows did not have nets, especially the sluice-room where we had to sterilize theatre utensils. It was a great relief to hear a baby cry. It was the best reason to skedaddle from the sluith room to the snug friendly nursery, my favourite place to feed and bath the babies.

Morning tea was always choice. Sister Lash was k!ways a hive of information and loads of fun. Sister Lash was Foxton Maternity Home.

Christmas time was a fun sparkly time. I remember nurse-aids loved to decorate the wards and put up a wee tree. At that time of the year a truly special place to be. A joyous time for everyone, patients, doctors, staff alike, a,"home away from home."

All the staff got along wonderfully well.

New friends were made as staff rosters changed.

All in all, the best working conditions and time in my life.

Thanks to Jean Shailer (nee Ellis)

(Former nurse-aid)

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Identification

Date

2005