I have read tons of books on the subject, but since becoming pregnant with Toddler Boy there is one book which I keep coming back to and which I think every mother should own. The book is called Maternity; Letters From Working Women. This is a link to a FREE download (absolutely above board as far as I can see). It was published in 1915 and is a series of absolutely amazing letters written by women (all members of the Women's Co-operative Guild). The letters tell of childbirth, death, the lack of pre-natal care, poverty and the general despair felt by women at the turn of the Twentieth century. In short they are frankly an amazing record of women's life and they really make you think about your life now. One wonders how these women kept going and admires their determination, tenacity and drive in the most awful circumstances. What is so frightening, is that it really isn't that long ago. These women would certainly have been contemporaries of my great grandparents.
I have copied a couple of extracts below to whet your appetite. Please give it a read, it will really make you think. If you do, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
" The first part of my life I spent in a screw factory from six in the morning till five at night; and after tea used to do my washing and cleaning. Left two weeks before my first children were born. After that I took in lodgers and washing, and always worked up till an hour or so before baby was born. The results are that three of my girls suffer with their insides. None are able to have a baby....my husbands wages varied... and has been paid away in drink. I had three little ones in two years and five months and he [the husband] was out of work two years... I took in washing and sewing and have not been near a bed for night after night..."
"... I have just heard the following case;A poor woman, only twenty eight years of age, was confined last Wednesday with her seventh child, all living. She has been allowed to live in a deplorable cottage that is condemned. She has been living near for about 4 years, but myself and my neighbours have never seen her nor the two youngest children, aged two and a half years and fifteen months, and we are told they have no clothes to come out in. These two children were born in the workhouse infirmary.... a poor woman who is attending to the other children until the baby is born has taken the blanket from her own baby to lend her..."
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4 comments:
Most definitely not CUTE but very appropriate reading. Not a book I would gravitate to but in this day of NHS and the US struggle with Nationalised Health Care, most definitely important reading. I thought my birth experience was rough...I am now grateful. Thanks for the important recommendation Mrs! ;)
Karin
I think this is great. If we lived 100 years ago, we'd all be popping out babes, one after the other and have popped our clogs by 40!
Thank god for contraception.
It is a must read.
RMxx
Thanks for sharing this really interesting book. I’ve been quite addicted to reading it (I’ve read over 100 pages so far) even though it’s terrible the way they had to live and that makes it quite depressing to read. I wonder what they would think of us with our central heating, dishwashers, washing machines, supermarkets full of food and credit cards to pay for it at times when money is tight. Would they think we were a lazy spoilt bunch or be pleased that things had progressed for women (and children & men) that we can have a good quality of life? Even though we are quick to complain about the way this country is today at least we have the NHS and we have access to information via internet, libraries, schools and even leaflets and info given out by community midwives etc. so we are well informed and educated.
Not surprisingly it was the mothers that ate well and looked after themselves, maybe could afford a little help so they got more rest that were happier with their experiences. Others said they’d gone without food, been faint and the baby had been poorly, milk had dried up etc. I am sure if they had just shared the food they did have (however little) equally between themselves, children and husbands instead of going without, they could have been a bit stronger. I strongly believe if you make sure you look after yourself you are then in a position to help others more. I get annoyed with women today that don’t believe that – the ones that do without any treats for themselves and then wonder why they are depressed, who let other people treat them like a door mat, who live solely for their kids instead of having their own life. In this day and age we don’t need to do that any more.
Totally agree with you - when I am at my worst with tiredness and a sick child, I remind myself that it wasn't long ago that children died because people didn't know about sugar/salt solutions for diarhoea and because there was no calpol - 2 little miracles sitting in my bathroom cabinet.
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