Childbirth

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28270, 7 May 1957, Page 3

Childbirth

Sir, —There have recently been several letters concerning the •ork pf the Christchurch Parents’ itre. As a mother who has just —'ly attended their classes, I want to say how grateful I am for the help they gave me. With the exercises and knowledge I learned there I was able to have my first baby completely without anaesthetics. It was truly a happy and wonderful experience for me, as well as for my husband, who stayed with me through labour and saw our baby born. We feel it was an occasion to be remembered with happiness and not as is often the case to be hastily forgotten because of the fear and pain involved. With natural childbirth the baby also benefits greatly as it arrives free' from anaesthetics and cries immediately. So I advise all other mothers-to-be, for the sake of their children and themselves, to attend the Parents’ Centre classes. —Yours, etc., MARION EGGLESTON. May 5, 1957.

Sir, —I appreciate the views of your correspondent “Facts Hight First" concerning conscious births, and am pleased to know that the impression I gained of the Parents’ Centre’s attitude might have been wrong. In this case it is unfortunate that various statements published recently have been, to me, misleading. For the sake of the young mothers whom the centre wishes to help, it is to be hoped an attitude of common sense and moderation, such as that expressed by “Facts Right First.” will prevail.—Yours, etc. MOTHER OF THREE. May 3, 1957.

Sir, —I was disappointed to read “Mother of Three’s” letter in Thursday's paper. The Parents’ Centre believes, and rightly so, that where the mother has had adequate instruction and preparation, and the doctor and nurses are sympathetic and skilled in the techniques of natural childbirth, a conscious birth is possible in nearly all cases. My own wife, who is incidentally of small build, would be about the last person whom one would expect to be able to relax but because of the instruction’, guidance, and practical help of the Parents’ Centre mothers’ classes she was able to have a conscious childbirth, with all its attendant benefits. Furthermore she was able to breast feed her baby for more than 10 months. The Parents’ Centre is doing splendid work. When "Mother of Three” is about to become "Mother of Four” I am sure it could be of great help to her.— Yours, etc., GRATEFUL FATHER. May 5, 1957.