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74
(b) The causes leading to still-births are very complex,
but in great measure they are connected with the health of
the mother during the child-bearing period, and may be
expressed in general terms as due to the diseases and complications
of pregnancy which may be largely controlled by
early treatment of the mother before serious symptoms arise.
Summing up the loss to infant life during the pre-natal period,
we find it amounts approximately, in Hackney, to an annual
loss of 870 infant lives.
2. Natal Period.—It is not possible to separate entirely this
period in its effects from the earlier period. This is borne out by
by the statement by Dr. Newsholme already quoted. Experience
moreover, shows that many deaths occur from conditions arising
during the birth of the infant. It is not necessary to go into
details. It is sufficient to recognise that this period is one
requiring skilled attention and watchfulness in order to prevent any
of the incidents of this period from being harmful either to mother
or child.
The above will, I am sure, dissipate any doubt still lingering
in the minds of the Committee as to the urgency of extending their
Welfare work to expectant mothers. Such an extension would
include the provision of medical advice and, where necessary,
treatment for expectant mothers, including arrangements for
skilled assistance during confinement at home, and also arrangements
for dealing with complications arising during or after
confinement.
The Committee have already under consideration the provision
of skilled advice during confinement, and the present time would
be most opportune to fit whatever arrangements are finally made
with those relating to the welfare of expectant mothers.