Meeting Ken my husband

Larraine recalls meeting her husband and their eventual move to Hackney at the end of the 1960s.

Hygiene at the hospital

Larraine describes the cleanliness of the Mothers' Hospital. She talks about how visitors -including the fathers- were not encouraged to pick up babies for fear of germs.

Missionary zeal

Larraine describes The Mothers' Hospital's "missionary zeal" and general attitudes to men, she compares it to the Radical feminist's attitudes to men.

Mums pretending to be married

Larraine remembers how single mums would keep quiet about their single status and pretend they were married.

The babies' bathrooms

Larraine recall how her baby was wheeled into the bathroom at night. You couldn't see your baby at night and you were not encouraged to get out of bed. She stayed in hospital for five days. She recalls having to bath her child.

Sunday services

Larraine describes how Sunday was no visiting night and how the hospital had a missionary feel. She was not religious but felt that the service was enforced. "I'm in a hospital it's up to me if I take part in this." She remembers that Sunday Service consisted of hymns, a sermon and a report of the Salvation Army's work in Africa. She remembers it as being a gloomy day and she resented being forced to participate.

"There is someone who claims to be the father of your child on the telephone."

Ken recalls moving to Hackney 1969 and the birth of his first child in November of the same year. He talks about the strict visiting time, and not being able to pick up his baby because of the hospital's preoccupation with hygiene. Ken recalls a distinct lack of interest in his role as the father. He remembers that fathers were seen as outsiders and there was no question of them attending the birth.