Women’s Hospital

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31776, 5 September 1968, Page 16

Women’s Hospital

Sir,—After reading Mrs Sutherland's report and the good reply by Doctor Berry and Mr Louisson, I still feel that Mrs Sutherland’s points should be kept in mind. Surely the Christchurch Women's Hospital can begin to think in terms of modem methods such as are carried out in the equivalent hospital in Auckland. It is time the women of Christchurch realised that stable and happy childhood and adulthood relationships begin at birth.— Yours, etc., FAY C. MYERS. September 3, 1968.

Sir,—lt was not suggested that the present conference cover psychological problems of infants. It was submitted that the emotional wellbeing of parents before, during, and after birth is integral to any study of the physiological state of the child before, during, and after birth. A joint maternity centre Yale project, covering 2000 deliveries of trained mothers, reports: “Under our present regime we have a greatly lessened number of depressed infants at birth, decrease in length of labours, fewer operative deliveries, less blood loss, smoother convalescence, and, finally, happier mothers.” Trained Christchurch parents want these benefits at the Christchurch Women's Hospital. Could my premature undiagnosed twins have had a completely unmedicated, calm, controlled, co-operative birth here? They did in Chicago. Could they have received breast milk in their isolettes and come home weeks later fully breast-fed? Patient care on the highest possible level is what “bothers” us the parents, too. —Yours, etc., JENNIFER WYBOURNE. September 4, 1968.

Sir,—ln the question of conditions for childbirth raised by the Parents’ Centre, surely the most important consideration is the degree of trust between the mother and those caring for her. Although the statement by Dr

Berry and Mr Louisson may reassure Mrs Sutherland on many of the points raised in her article, it is hoped that doctors will encourage the nursing staff to understand and respect the principles underlying natural childbirth. There is nothing more damaging to a mother’s emotional condition than the feeling that she ic not regarded as a responsible person in her own right, or that in seeking the conditions she has been taught to expect she is being a nuisance or a crank The greatest commendation for the new Christchurch Women’s Hospital would be a tolerant atmosphere, free from hostility and apathy, in which a woman may approach the great event of her life with fullest confidence. To this end, both Parents’ Centre and hospital authorities should strive towards consistency of approach as a prerequisite for harmony.— Yours, etc., PEGGY BUCHANAN. September 3, 1968.