Episode 10: A Teen Mum in 1971, with Annette Tunbridge

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, adolescent mother, rhesus disease, assisted delivery, wet nursing, positive support, grandmother

Our guest in this episode is Annette Tunbridge, a Gibraltarian wife, mother and grandmother in her early 70's at the time of recording (November 2024). Annette first met her husband when she was just 15 years old, and the two quickly fell in love and made plans to marry. She speaks about how they just 'knew,' they were to be together and start a family, despite their young age. She describes both families' reactions, local traditions, and their romantic honeymoon - despite the closed land border with Spain in the early 1970's.

Annette had an uncomplicated first pregnancy, aside from concern over rhesus disease - differing mother/baby blood types. But due to her son's slowed growth and pre-eclampsia concerns, she underwent a traumatic delivery with high forceps... a practice that rarely happens in modern times. Annette references the effects of her epidural (felt for decades afterwards), and how infection during her recovery impacted the ability to breastfeed; she recounts an example of wet-nursing from another mother to assist with her son's first feeds. Her second son was born naturally two years later, but this time it was a much easier and more positive experience - without requiring any pain relief!

Annette describes the invaluable support of bringing up babies surrounded by other mothers in a multi-generational home. She gives a wonderful analogy about love being elastic...there is always enough for a growing family. This is a heart-warming look at Annette's journey to becoming a very young parent and then grandparent, and overall, is a very positive and uplifting story. Thank you so much Annette for sharing!

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