CHRISTINA ROSE

Today is the 31st  birthday of my daughter Christina Rose.NNNNNNeweeee

As I did with the birthday of my daughters Eleanor and Eliza, I would like to record the events , my thoughts and memories of her birth.
Thus I will be creating a record for them all... my dearest daughters.

Following the death of Eleanor just 16mths earlier, another pregnancy was always going to be filled with some apprehension.

Ray and I had been to talk with a Dr Grant in Cambridge re the statistics and any information re Spina Bifida.She was doing research into chemicals affecting the foetus. At that time it appeared that people working in the hairdressing business had an abnormally higher incidence of babies being born with Spina Bifida than people working elsewhere. There was also a peak of people working with chemicals generally and those living down-wind of chemical factories. We discussed not only our information with her, for her research but she also gave us quick access to a geneticist at Addenbrooks.

We saw the geneticist and he explained the probabilities of having a second child affected. Apparently there s a higher incidence in boys, but they are not as
adversely effected.

(Of course it must be said here that this was the state of the research then, 31yrs on the scene has changed dramatically).

So Ray and I decided that we would have a third child. We wereadvised to follow a new protocol concerning the taking of Folic acid  for 3 mths prior to trying to conceive. (Now this is the absolute norm, but it was cutting edge  at that time.In fact I could only get Folic acid tablets on prescription.)

That year we went to camping in France as always. We had a trailer tent and headed down to the south, Beziers. We overnighted in the Beaune region and had a wonderful meal. (Liza had her usual of, Omelette and Frites!). We drank gallons of the local red wine served chilled. We loved the site, the restaurant and the wine and thus decided to make exactly the same stop on the return journey.

Our stay in Beziers was hot and wonderful. It was the year of the wedding of Diana and Charles. A TV was put up in a large garage-type building on the campsite. I remember three highlights. The crumpled dress, watching through a broken window balanced on rocks, and sunburned shoulders from standing in the same position too long ! (Ray and Liza made sandcastles and swam!)

At the end of the lovely holiday we arrived back at the campsite in Beaune.... and that’s when I knew I was pregnant. One mouthful of the delicious wine and I gagged! One look at my plat crudities, and I left!!! I sat in the car whilst Ray, ate two meals !! And, a bewildered, Liza her Omelette frites!!!!

So at home I had a pregnancy test. Things had moved forward (still no Clear Blue line things ) but at least the Dr would test a sample and it only took 3 days to be returned. But I knew. My need, as with all my pregnancies, for coffee milkshakes,was insatiable !!!

When I had to book in at Mill Rd,Cambridge,  they indicated that I would be with Mr Edwards again as my consultant. I refused explaining that whilst I may have accepted his reasoning not to give me an amniocentesis when I had asked for one with my last pregnancy, (I had always felt things weren’t quite right, the way she moved, lateness of moving etc). I would not be under his care again. I was changed to Mr Milton.

Until I was way-on in the pregnancy, I told no one, but my friends guessed as I soon stopped wearing jeans, (no waist expanders in those days) !

It was decided I would have an amniocentesis for this third pregnancy, and I forget how many weeks I had to be, but I do remember there was a very long wait before the results were ready, probably three.

For the amniocentesis I was taken down lots of long corridors to a small scruffy room. There, there was a massive , ?? Scanning?? Machine. Bizarrely the Dr placed a 5p piece on my bump and it made a visible track, down which he could see to insert the needle, assuring me that it was amazing how quickly the foetus wriggles away !!!!

Ray and I were told together at the anti natal clinic that our baby did not appear to have Spina Bifida, but that they couldn’t be certain about the Hydrocephaly , and , (best of all!!),that she was a girl.

At that point, we told all our friends officially that we were to have another baby , but we kept the gender a secret. My parents were told, of course, that I was pregnant, but they didn’t tell anyone. They felt the birth and death of Eleanor, was a slur on the family and in actual fact didn’t ever see her. They only came to her funeral as I said they ought to.

The name quest began! I didn’t ever want to name my children by any name of a child I had ever taught. My short list was of two: Christina, (after Christina Rosetti), and Gabriella. Ray didn’t like Gabriella but was Ok about Christina. His thought, if I remember rightly, was Jean, Well, whatever it was, I did dismiss it, as it didn’t have enough style for my liking!! So Christina was decided upon and Rose for a middle name. (My middle name, and Eleanor’s too).

So it was by now Christmas Eve. I went by myself to have the scan, to see if our baby had hydrocephaly. The consultant looked and looked. It was the last week I could have a termination. He couldn’t be certain that there was no fluid. (Now a-days a shunt can be put in in-utero, but not then). Eventually he said ,well if you were my wife we would take the risk and go ahead!

I did. 

But what a decision to make on my own.

Easter came and went and Christina was very due. It was Tuesday 14^th and I went to antenatal. The baby’s heart rate was monitored. What a lovely straight line I thought. A straight line, this is not good, the nurses said, echoed by the Dr.  I had to go home, get bag and husband and go straight back in.

I rang Ray at work in Welwyn Garden City. He came home. It was a sunny day and I had my best, blue flowered, Laura Ashley dress on, no coat. Marjorie took it off me, washed, dried and ironed it and I was set fresh to go by the time Ray got home. Liza was with her Auntie Marjorie and very happy.

I well remember the labour. Long as ever ,until a drip was set up. I was determined not to have a catheter and made myself go to the loo every hour on the hour. They said they had never seen such discipline. I was determined never to have another catheter in my life !!! (And look where that has got me, but this is Chrissies story, so enough of my present problems!!).

As deliveries go, I was aided by a new piece of equipment... a foam wedge to go behind my back!! New technology, first time used in Mill Rd!!!  And, loathing gas and air had some Pethidine. Good stuff that!

Baby Christina was finally , and safely, delivered at seven minutes to six, just in time for the news !!!  On Thursday 15^th April 1982.

She was checked sooooo thoroughly by the paediatrician, and the whole hospital staff seemed to know about us, and came to offer their congratulations. From my delighted, hazy, state I welcomed them all, but barely let go of my baby.

When back in a ward and Ray having rung parents etc ( from a call box!), he told me two bits off the news: Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring  had died), the Falklands war was still rumbling on. 

And one bit of very personal news, which shook me. Ray said. I’m not being made redundant but we have to move.... to Middlesbrough. (I had never been further north than Manchester, and that was only for a short interview, which I declined.) I was shocked. I don’t ever think I quite got over that news, leaving the friends that had supported me through the death and grief following, Eleanor. It was a hard blow.

But at 6 weeks (I had made a gown) Christina Rose was baptised, and at 7 weeks we set off north to find somewhere to live.

Times were not easy but I was delighted with baby Chrissie, Little Dizz as she came to be known. I cuddled her endlessly, consequently, she took ages to even bother to crawl, and then it was a bottom shuffle!! And even longer before walking and talking !!

Little Dizz, is lovely to this day and still my baby , even if she is 31 today.
Special hugs to you,  Lovely Christina Rose , Mum XXXXX

Baby Chrissie with doggy.

Baby Chrissie , Liza and Ray

HUG ME I'VE GOT MND

ELIZA CATHERINE

Today is the 36th birthday of my daughter Eliza.

As I did with the birthday of my daughter Eleanor , I would like to record the events , my thoughts and memories of her birth. When it is the next birthday of my third daughter, Christina , then I shall do the same.
Thus I will be creating a record for them all... my dearest daughters.

Well, to sort out names first.. Eliza was always my preferred name for a daughter and happily my husband Ray, agreed.

I had seen the musical My Fair Lady at Drury Lane when I was 13. (Each year we had a trip from school to watch the England Hockey Match. I always signed up... not that I was in any way sporty......but we always went to a West End Theatre afterwards..... my real motive !!!  And , that year , when I was 13, we saw My Fair Lady... and for the very first time ( even though my parents had taken me to the theatre in the West End many times before ) , I got that tingle ! The so special tingle, as Eliza Doolittle, said, perfectly, the Rain in Spain.......... ).

I then vowed my first daughter would be named Eliza....... and so it happened...........

Eliza was due towards the end of January 1977, the 24th If I remember correctly.........
We lived in St Neots , Cambs at that point.
Ray and I bought our house in Eaton Ford  just as I was pregnant, moving from our two bed home in Little Paxton... to this new build......
Boy was that summer hot !! I sat in the garden as Ray slaved away making the patio , lawn and planted borders.
 I ate and ate peaches.... a wonderful time , such sunshine and such rest and such happiness.

I planned to have my baby at Primrose Lane Maternity Hospital in Huntingdon. Baby was over-due and my BP high, so I went in on Jan 28th.
The next morning I had the first amazing experience.. an enema !!  Truly awful.... felt sooo ill..... Then second experience stirrups... ! And the breaking of my waters.
Baby did not start.

29th was a Sat. Ray ,a football Referee , missed his game and brought me a bunch of daffs.

No contractions.

Moved to Cambridge in ambulance on 30th. The co driver said do you mind if I sit in front? Will you be OK? Yes I said. He then said , Great !then I can have a smoke !!! (How times have changed !!!)

I got to Cambridge and walked slowly to entry. A nurse waited... Get a move on she said. !!!!!!

I was put in a ward where there were abortions taking place.
My BP high ... and for some reason I was told to keep all my urine. The urine bottles were stored in a windowless room... shelves and shelves of urine  ... all sorts of shades of yellow !!!
I was later given a pessary... This caused me to have diarrhoea.....  and I valiantly... because I obey orders... still tried to collect urine.... totally impossible !!!

Eventually a Dr came early evening on the Mon 31st and said that a drip should be put up.
I started having contractions. A monitor was attached to babys head (causing a bald spot .. I think to this day ).
Baby was monitored. I was monitored. My BP went sky high. Baby wasn't doing too well either . I was offered gas and air for pain... I hit Ray with a single side swipe ... sorry !! I couldnt cope with the black mask over may face ..........

So ,mid afternoon an epidural was given to bring my BP down and for pain control as I wouldnt use gas and air.
The epidural worked for me , but baby still not too safe...
Eventually it was decided to use forceps. The same Dr as in the early evening came along with the consultant. I enquired , had he had any sleep. No, he said.

The forceps were about to be inserted... no not that way the consultant said .... A discussion followed between Dr and consultant .
I intervened... Just get this baby OUT !!!!

So the consultant went with the tired Drs way ... and my dear baby was born.

I was utterly shattered, and needed stitching... so Ray held her for her first hour.

I was transferred to a ward where a met a lady, who later became a child-minder for Liza... I've forgotten her name but the baby she had was Suzannah.

I had a nap and woke to a basket of flowers............. ( sadly these were from friends (Not Ray.. and this proved fuel for many a row in the years following as I had asked specifically for special flowers, as I had never had delivered flowers from a florist ) )... cant remember these friends names, but I know they had a pet kestrel called Dimelza ! Bizarre what you remember !!!
The flowers were from Fulbourn Nurseries... Fulbourn was the mental health Hospital... so in my half waking state I did wonder where I now was !!

After24 hrs I transferred back to Primrose Lane. I shared an ambulance with a woman who had had a boy... can't remember names.....but her husband was a Prison Officer at Kirklevington... we met a few times after , as our babies grew.

At Primrose Lane all was provided. Nappies... terry type... used all the time.  No plastic cover .. and babies wore nighties... so to save them getting wet we had to fold them to the waist... poor babies... cold toes I expect!

I spent the rest of the week in hospital. We were showed how to bathe the babies, and how to feed them... I got on quite well but eventually had to give up breast feeding with severe mastitis...... after 3 weeks.
But at least ,my dear little girl, had the first few weeks of breast milk.

When I got home I still had terrible trouble walking. Epidurals are better now.. and what with the stitches... not easy.

We didnt have a camera so there are few early , pics but Eliza had loads of thick black hair. It stood on end... The health visitor said , Like lavatory brush !! I was not impressed ! 

And this song will alway be special to us... It was a hit as Eliza was born. And so true... Eliza is lovely to this day and still my baby , even if she is 36 today.
Special hugs to you Lovely Liza . Mum XXXXX

HUG ME , I'VE GOT MND