Family affair.

Date:
1964
  • Film

About this work

Description

A fascinating study of a family and their preparations for the birth of a new baby shot at home. The footage reveals a family at ease playing with their children. Training for childbirth, the mother to be shows how she raises her arm in preparation for dealing with a contraction. Close to the birth, which is close to Christmas, the mother is experiencing contractions in the company of one of her youngest children whilst putting up a few decorations on the tree. In bed, the mother has her breathing and what's she's experiencing recorded (but this material is not part of the film and may be lost). The mother is attended by a midwife and a man which might be the GP. Images of the clock on the mantelpiece indicate the passage of time. The mother recovers quickly. The baby is introduced to the other young members of the family and they seem nonplussed about the birth. There is lingering footage of the new baby. One week later, the mother bathes her baby using a standalone bath. She washes the baby's hair before the baby is given a wash on her lap before being rinsed in the bath. The baby, a girl, is lightly talced. Standard reflexes are illustrated; the Palomar reflex (grasping) and the 'Walking' reflex. The End.

Publication/Creation

1964

Physical description

2 film reels (15 mins. ea) : silent; black and white 16 mm

Notes

More material on the NCT is held in the Wellcome Library reference SA/NCT.

Creator/production credits

City of Birmingham Training College for Teachers, Directed by Jane Madders, Dept of Education, Technical Adviser Audrey Stanley. Filmed by two students in their third year as part of their special study in eduction: Anthony Brettell and David Neale.

Copyright note

City of Birmingham Training College for Teachers

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • Location Access
    Closed stores
    5594FM
    Can't be requested

    Note

  • Location Access
    Closed stores
    5594F
    Can't be requested

    Note

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