Training for childbirth and after.

England, 1940.

1 encoded moving image (15.22 min.) : silent, black and white

00:15:22

Copyright previously held by British Medical Association and assigned to Wellcome in 2005

Unrestricted

Public Domain Mark

Segment 1 The intertitles note that the exercises are based on those illustrated in a book by a Miss Randall entitled, 'Training for Childbirth from the Mother's Point of View'. The intertitles explain that subject to approval of the patient's doctor, the exercises should be started after the third month of pregnancy. The objectives are to improve the physical and mental well-being of the patient and also to 'encourage a cheerful and confident outlook towards her confinement'. A group of expectant mothers are seen in a garden wearing maternity dresses. The instructor demonstrates stretches and exercises and the mothers follow suit. The intertitles note that unless the doctor says otherwise, these exercises should be continued until late pregnancy. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:05:23:13 Length: 00:05:23:13

Segment 2 The exercises continue. Next, post-natal exercises are demonstrated by two women in hospital beds. Time start: 00:05:23:13 Time end: 00:10:13:10 Length: 00:04:49:22

Segment 3 The position for 'complete relaxation' is demonstrated in a hospital bed. Next, exercises for the 2nd to 8th week after birth are demonstrated in the garden, with the mothers copying the instructor. A group walking exercise is demonstrated. Special exercises for mothers with backache are demonstrated. All the mothers and babies are shown in a group, smiling at the camera. Time start: 00:10:13:10 Time end: 00:15:22:23 Length: 00:05:09:13

Produced by Helen Rodway and Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital, Walthamstow, London. The instructor is Miss Barbara Mortimer Thomas.