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36
It is hoped that maternity centres, where pregnant women may seek
advice and help, will be established in many areas. Where there is a
maternity institution, or failing this a children's hospital, it is probable
that arrangements could be made for the municipal maternity centres
to be established in direct connection with them.
The centre should be available for all cases, not only for those
applying to the maternity institution or hospital for aid, and it is anticipated
that medical practitioners may be glad to utilise the services of
the doctor or visitors of the centres for cases they will themselves attend
at the confinement. Ante-natal visiting will be carried out in connection
with the maternity centre, since there will be many points which may
suitably be supplemented by domiciliary visits. It is assumed that
where ante-natal visiting is proposed either with or without a maternity
centre, satisfactory arrangements will be made for obtaining information
regarding the locality of the expectant mothers. This may be accomplished
by obtaining the names and addresses of pregnant women from
those persons or agencies who are practising midwifery in the district.
Where ante-natal visiting is already being carried out by any agency,
co-operation with that agency, with a view to avoid overlapping, will
be desirable.
The points with which domiciliary visits will be mainly concerned
will include inquiry as to the presence of any conditions in the mother
which may injuriously affect the progress of her confinement and the
health of the unborn infant, the feeding and clothing of the mother and
the hygiene of her daily life. The health visitor should make inquiry
as to the preparations the mother is proposing to make, or has made,
for the birth, and should be prepared to give instruction as to the
requirements for this event. The health visitor should also endeavour
to secure the preparation of suitable clothing for the infant, and should
give advice and instruction regarding the breast-feeding of infants.
It is assumed that where a maternity centre exists the health visitors
will be present during the consultations at the centre, and at their
visits will endeavour to secure that the medical advice given there is
carried out at home. Where no centre exists it will be advisable for
the health visitors to inquire into the points above-mentioned and also
into such matters as the condition of teeth and bowels, and to give
advice on the care of the breasts.
The health of the mother and child, although largely inter-dependent
before birth, must to some extent be considered separately.