“GOSSIPING GRANNIES”
LONDON, July 20.—Members of the British Medical Association at a meeting in Liverpool criticised women who frighten young wives with exaggerated tales of the dangers and pain of childbirth.
Dr. Elizabeth Tylden said she knew of cases where the harsh attitude of midwives made births so distressing that mothers would not have a second baby. “I know what fear can do, because I have been badly scared piyself before my first child," she added.
A Manchester University maternity specialst, Professor William Morris, led the attack on “gossiping grannies."
He warned doctors that technical talk-at the bedside could be frightening for a woman who didn’t understand it.
Other doctors warned that fear could directly cause difficult births, even resulting in a baby being stillborn.
“Don't tell me you didn’t flse butter in.those cakes”—“l didn't, I use fat made to taste like butter with Hansell’s Imitation Butter Essence.”
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19500807.2.101
Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, 7 August 1950, Page 7
Word Count
148“GOSSIPING GRANNIES” Wanganui Chronicle, 7 August 1950, Page 7
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