WITH maternity care being discussed currently (Giving birth to choice, The Press, April 4) and after seeing one mother commenting on television about the number of different nurses she'd seen during a previous pregnancy, the debate made me think back to when our daughter was born at home 43 years ago.

My wonderful midwife, Nurse Hodgson, visited me during my pregnancy and I felt we knew each other well by the time I gave birth, when we both just got on with it. I also remember my family doctor, the late Dr Gantley, being at the birth and that when I said I was cold, he said, "No wonder the poor girl's cold - let's have that window shut". (It was February).

Our son had been born seven years earlier, (we had ten days in hospital in those days,) but I don't remember any of the nurses from that time.

I'm sure people who choose to have a home birth, and if it is safe for them to do this, will always remember their midwife. Whenever I bumped into Miss Hodgson by chance in town, or in Bootham, she'd always stop and have a chat with me.

A very special midwife - but maybe they all are.

Mrs M Bewick, Lumley Road, York.