Overview
The Aalten Green Cross Maternity Care Centre organised maternity care and trained maternity carers. From 1952 the centre was based at Willemstraat 19. Its area of operation included Aalten, Dinxperlo, Wisch, Winterswijk and Eibergen.
The centre was run by the Green Cross and worked closely with the Oranje-Groene Kruis. Expectant mothers could contact the centre for information and preparation before the birth, while maternity carers were assigned from Aalten to families throughout the region.
Maternity care and training
A description from 1955 shows that the centre not only coordinated maternity care but also provided training. The course lasted fifteen months. The senior instructor taught part of the programme, while trainees also received instruction in household skills and practical infant care.
In the family home, maternity carers supported mother and baby during the first days after the birth and also helped with everyday household tasks where necessary. Charges for the service were partly based on the family’s ability to pay.
Willemstraat 19
From 1952 until the early 1970s the centre occupied the former villa of pipe manufacturer Willem te Gussinklo senior. Consultations and training took place there, and senior maternity-care staff occasionally lived in the building. The history of the property, its residents and ownership is recorded on the page for Willemstraat 19.