Order Only: Visit to Fareham

I stopped by the new maternity ward in the Fareham camp in Hampshire. This is one of Norma Brownmiller's pet projects; she is trying to demonstrate that the maternal death rate can be lowered with better training of the midwifes, proper sterilisation procedures, etcetera. She even browbeat the camp administrator to set aside a portion of the infirmary at this camp specifically for new mothers, particularly with children born with low birthrates.

The results are highly encouraging. The midwifes at this camp are absolutely fearless, agitating for proper beds, longer recovery times for mothers, and so forth. They are also training several new assistants--despite Griderson's stance that such coddling of the animals is useless. The birthrate is up and yet the number of deaths has definitely declined, which makes the camp administration look good, so they are embracing the implemented changes.

I lingered for an hour or two chatting with some of the new mothers. Of course, since I'm a Ministry representative, they are wary, but I find that a heartfelt compliment about the new offspring can thaw out the most hesitant. Their lives are hard and I so wish we could do more, no question about it, but there is something so instrinsically hopeful about the sight of a mother, even the most careworn, cradling a new babe. I even held one of the young mites myself myself for a few minutes and found myself wishing--oh, all manner of things. That she could grow up in a different world than the one we have right now. We are working toward it, I know. It can't come soon enough for me.

You are right, Molly. Babies are innately cheering.