Book Review

Jennifer Worth has written this novel based on her own experiences as a midwife working in London's East End in the 1950s. Working with an order of nuns practicing since the 1870s, she brings the poverty stricken conditions alive. The dedication of the midwives is quite humbling and the honesty of Ms Worth's writing is emotionally moving. The novel is an important piece of work detailing midwiferyhistory which would otherwise be lost to one incredible woman's memory. There is a beautiful description of the authors first breech birth at home, a 26-week old baby born prematurely who survived withkangaroo care at home, and a woman having her 25th baby in as many years.