Middle daughter arrived today

1972 - me , a young Mum.... have a daughter just 13 months old... and I go into labour with child no 2.....



I had had lots of problems with this pregnancy. Thought I would have the baby in August.... I was so very ill with polynephritis... thought that I would die.



Anyway, I carried this baby until 2 weeks before due date. I continued to have problems and was , basically, on bed rest. I was staying with my dear Mum and Dad for a month before today 1972.



I felt the beginnings of this child arriving and called an ambulance. My dear husband was staying with his mum... 1st and only separation for us. I needed the peace and quiet and rest.



So the ambulance arrived and I was swiftly taken to the local maternity unit. I was checked and the doctor in charge decided that I needed a cesaerian to deliver this baby. So, I was shunted off the the large maternity hospital about 15 miles away. I arrived and was put on drugs that had me floating about 1ft off the bed. (could do with some now!) Then labour pains started and I was taken, post-haste, up to the delivery suite. Baby arrived within 10 mins... talk about quick. She was small - just over 5lb - and whisked off to the prem baby unit. (she was 10 days early as well - due date being 21 Dec.).



I did not see her until the next morning, tucked up in the prem baby unit. She looked so small and vulnerable. I have rhesus A negative blood, my baby had rhesus O positive blood, so I had to go through all sorts of blood tests and had (I believe) a 'gamma D anti-globulin' injection to counteract any antibodies that could affect any further children. I felt like a pincushion - so many jabs.



One of the nurses in the ward was the older sister of one of my school friends... She was an absolute gem and she was so much help to me. Bless you Sue.



And so, my middle daughter survived this start to her life, she is now 37, has 3 children of her own - and no blood problems!!!