Heathfield Maternity Hosp
I had my first two sons in Heathfield Maternity. The first, Stephen. was born on Feb 16 1959. Exactly 4 weeks after i had been interned because of high blood pressure. I shall never forget that day, when i went for an ante natal clinic. And the sister in charge decided i would have stay in because my blood pressure was over the 'richter scale' dont know what it was (never wanted to) but i couldn't understand why they were saying that i was so ill, I felt fine. My main worry was that i had left a pan of stew on a low light. So had to phone the corner shop, who caught my friend on her way from work, to go and turn off the gas.
Anyway i spent my first week on one of the wards complete bed rest. The the second week they transferred me to Bourne House, to be a 'lady in waiting' I was going nearly out of my mind. They kept indulging me with promises that maybe they might let me home in a couple of days - So under that pretence they managed to hold on to me until my waters broke on the morning of 16 Feb. and my son was born at 7.30 that night, dont remember much of it because they decided to fetch the gas man and knock me out. I came round to Mrs Dunbar (the surgeon) telling me that i had lovely big son (10lb 4 oz) I felt as though i had been stitched from the ankles upwards. What an experience!!! Anyway 16 days later my Bill helped me to struggle into a taxi (we didn't have cars in those days) and took me home to recuperate. It didn't end there though they had me back in at my post natal check up for another 10 days. You dont get that much for murder these days. Do you?
Our second son Michael was born there March 27 1962 - far less traumatic, because he was 8lbs 9oz - although i had all the same problems. But managed to get past my post natal without being re-interned.
Never went back to Heathfield Road, the next i heard it was being knocked down for urban renewal, and it seemed that there were patients case-notes blowing around Heathfield Road. I bet mine would have made good reading. For the blood thirsty.
Our next son, Robert, (and last) was born at Marston Green Maternity (11 yrs later) Marston Green is no longer there either - what is it about me that makes maternity hospitals close down?.