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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Sheila Kitzinger has died

44 replies

Northernlurker · 12/04/2015 17:06

I read the New Pregnancy and Childbirth aged 23 and expecting my second child. It helped me enormously to assert myself and feel in control of what happened to me. I think my experiences as a fairly young mum have fundamentally contributed to the person I am today and so thank you Sheila. May you rest in peace and your legacy continue to support women on the journey to becoming mothers.

OP posts:

Original poster

Northernlurker · 14/04/2015 08:09

Some very moving stories here. Shows you what a lot of difference to people's lives you can make if you're passionate about what you do, honest and committed.

OP posts:

Teladi · 14/04/2015 13:23

I never met her or spoke to her myself, but I know what she did for women like me, and I'm enormously grateful for it.

OOAOML · 14/04/2015 16:35

I met her at a book festival event. She was lovely, and when she signed my copy of her book talked to me about the birth of my first child and gave me advice for the birth of my second - I cried, she was the first person who really acknowledged to me that it was ok to be upset. We only spoke briefly, but it stayed with me.

winkygirl · 14/04/2015 22:39

I read her book on birth crisis after an awful birth with dc2. Then I phoned the help line one evening and was amazed it was staffed, let alone by the good lady herself! She listened and talked and cared.

I hadn't realised all the other work she had done. The world needs more Sheila Kitzingers!

Levismum · 15/04/2015 00:56

I called the helpline exactly 12 years ago. I was so traumatised after dd birth. I had read lots of Sheila Kitzinger stuff so i too was very surprised to end up speaking to the women herself!

Our hour long conversation helped me dp much. She listened to me & it really helped me to recover.

I went on to have another 3 dc!

I have always felt deeply grateful to her for her help.

An amazing lady...

thecatfromjapan · 15/04/2015 01:08

I loved 'pregnancy and childbirth'. My children are Kitzinger children.
Thanks for being there, Sheila. You were a wonderful, wise friend, just when I needed one.
I'm glad you wrote your books and will be there for others.

Bloodybridget · 15/04/2015 15:10

I did start a thread on "In the news" the other day.

jonicomelately · 15/04/2015 15:14

RIP Sheila. Your book was my bible.

Selks · 15/04/2015 19:39

This is such a moving thread

Swanhildapirouetting · 15/04/2015 21:24

I loved the story about her baby twins and how one liked to sleep in the wardrobe (with the door open of course) because it was dark and safe. I think throughout there was an emphasis on relaxing and having a relationship with your baby rather than trying to do all the "right things" efficiently.

There was another very idiosyncratic story about making bread I remember. That kneading dough was something that fitted in well with life with a small baby I never followed her advice on that one. But I liked the way it suggested there were rhythms and it wasn't a question of rushing around getting things "done".

Another book was called The Crying Baby. I remember that one I think I read everything she wrote except the ones on birth itself as I had a caesarean and had passed the point of thinking it mattered how exactly the baby had got there just as long as it had arrived safely...

And there was terrible story in the Politics of Breastfeeding about a mother in Jamaica whose baby wasted away when fed on watered down condensed milk and herbal tea after the mother misunderstood the clinic notice which said breastfeed for six months and assumed breastfeeding should cease at that point having traditionally fed for much longer.

She was a wonderful writer.

ppeatfruit · 16/04/2015 16:07

How fantastic to read about the MNers who 've been helped soo much by Sheila Kitzinger. They made me tear up. A really lovely woman who bought birth into the public eye. Where it should be . R.I.P. Sheila.

AuntOlive · 17/04/2015 15:23

Mine are:

Clinique yellow moisturiser (original)
Clinique beyond perfection foundation & concealer in one
Benefit Kick ass concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camoflage 2 (I have SH1T skin)
Nars laguna bronzer
Bobbi Brown pale pink blusher
Body Shop eyeliner felt tip pen
Maybelline lash sensational mascara
Narsiccist eye palette

Plus...
Estee Lauder double wear concealer (on top) and for emergency touch ups when through during the day.

I am a picture of 'natural perfection' cakiness...

AuntOlive · 17/04/2015 15:24

Oops so sorry no idea how I managed to post on this thread - meant to post on a style and beauty thread (am neither stylish nor beautiful) - sorry all

MarthaMonkeynuts · 17/04/2015 19:16

I heard about her passing today.

I owe her much. Thansk to reading her work I was empowered to make my own choices, which were definately the right ones for me.

I read this quote from her husband, which has made me choke up: "a woman of great spunk... She was an icon of home birth who decided to have a home death... She drank Kir Royale and champagne and ate chocolates… We said goodbye with a prayer."

BallsforEarrings · 18/04/2015 14:08

I spoke to Sheila when I rang birth crisis in the early '90s, all i can say is what a magnificent woman!

RIP Sheila.

Nibledbyducks · 19/04/2015 01:23

I also spoke to Sheila via birth crisis when my eldest was born, she was a great comfort at a very difficult time for me, RIP.

AvaCrowder · 19/04/2015 01:41

What a wonderful woman. So good to hear that she took so many calls. Her book was enough for me. Brilliant woman, what a legacy.

RL20 · 19/04/2015 03:35

With regards to some of you asking why there aren't many posts - I am 22 and so have never heard of her before now. She sounds like she was a great woman though who helped a lot of people!
Have googled her and would be interested to look at some of her parenting books. A bit late for childbirth ones though as I'm due for an induction on Monday!

PMpublishers · 21/05/2015 10:35

This is a beautiful thread.
I work for Pinter and Martin, the publishers of Sheila Kitzinger's autobiography, Passion for Birth. Just to point out that the analogy between sex and breastfeeding Shallishanti attributed to Sheila above wasn't actually Sheila's - you can find it in Gabrielle Palmer's the Politics of Breastfeeding (ch 3, page 34 of the new edition). This is also one of Pinter and Martin's books :) hence the correction!

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