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‘twilight sleep’

+THE TERRIBLE REALITY OF MY BIRTHING

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This is the first reference I have found in my mother’s writings to the circumstances of my difficult breach birth.  It comes from an October 22, 1960 letter (see in *October 1960 MOTHER’S LETTERS) my mother wrote to my grandmother.  My mother is expecting her 5th child to be delivered in Anchorage, Alaska.

“I’ll be glad when that’s over – it’s a Catholic Hospital and I still remember my experience with Linda [Linda note:  Interesting statement – I wish she said more – and was she given Twilight Sleep during labor? ]  I pray they won’t be like that.  I hate to be alone in labor and this time I’ve felt so bad.”

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She mentions this fear again in her January 3, 1961 letter to her mother in reference to the upcoming birth of her 5th child (see in context with *MOTHER’S LETTERS – 1961):

“Now for $240.00 for 3 days in hospital!!  Insurance pays $30.00.  It’s a Catholic hospital and they won’t let your husband stay with you and I’m scared after experience with Linda.  I hope this baby comes out right and Dr. has more sense, and nurses are kinder.”

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