My birth

[Greensleeves]

I was born in 1947, before the advent of the NHS.  Somewhere I do have the bill which my father paid for midwife services.  If I can find it I'll post!

Regards
GS

[Top-of-the-hill]

  Another 1947 baby - I was born in Bethnal Green hospital (London), not sure why as my parents were living in Chelsea, before it became fashionable.
   Zetlander's grandfather fetched the midwife with a horse and cart - when my mother was born in 1913, grandad had to cycle 3 miles in an October gale to fetch their midwife, escort her to the house and probably home again if conditions hadn't improved.

[Treetotal]

I asked my older Sister if she knew what the cost of a midwife was when she was born in 1946, she seems to remember that she had heard our Mother say that the midwife was sitting in the chair knitting and singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and that she charged 2 shillings and sixpence for doing "s@d all" 
Carol

[Viktoria]

I was a home birth in 1937, the Midwife was known to local mothers as
“ Nurse Bertha “.
She had a Nurse’s uniform ,Navy blue, a little round Nurse’s hat that was turned up, as they were in the thirties.
She always found out from local newspapers when “ her “ babies were getting married from local newspaper announcements .
She would attend the weddings.
So it was on a chucking it down with rain afternoon in August 1956,at my wedding tea in the Church Hall,my brother in law ( best man ) stood up to give his speech, when in at the door came this little figure , in an ancient Nurses’ uniform, a ripple of recognition went round the room” It’s Nurse Bertha!” and so it was.
My brother in law started his speech with “Well  I have heard  of  shotgun weddings but this is ridiculous”

I don’t think anyone had put the kettle on in the kitchen. !

Viktoria.

[dowdstree]

Loving all your "birth experiences".

I was born in 1946 at "Simpsons" in Edinburgh. I should have been a home birth but evidently I was too stubborn  and my poor mum was taken to hospital. Dad said I cost him half a crown. My sister was born in 1952 in hospital too and was free. According to Dad you only get what you pay for which never amused my sister 

I still have the discharge card from the hospital amongst my souvenirs.

Dorrie

[BillyF]

Thank you all for the replies.

it`s just one of several questions that I`d thought to ask. sadly now too late.

[aspin]

My mother paid Half a Crown to the midwife when I was born in 1938 and half a Crown to a single young girl to come and look after the house  and my brothers . My mother had to stop in bed for a week . Things have changed
Elizabeth

[Viktoria]

Yes, but now I think things are a bit too quick, to stay in bed too long used to cause a dangerous condition named “ white leg” a circulatory problem ,possibly a clot ,however to be up too soon puts a strain on the pelvic muscles which have done a good job, and can lead to prolapses in later life.
So my G.P told me when I had my second baby -a home birth as my first was.
However ,more things have been found out in the intervening 64 years, but such short times in hospital and many young women think that is that and really don’t rest enough .
It is a very emotional time .
Viktoria.

[dowdstree]

Around 20 years ago a neighbour went into labour in the early hours of Christmas Morning. A trip to the hospital after breakfast and home with her new baby in time to cook Christmas Dinner.

Noooo way to quick to be back on her feet.

Dorrie