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11
Maternal Mortality.
A maternal mortality rate below 2 is very exceptional. Although
Camberwell cannot be stated to have a high maternal mortality
rate, and compares favourably with other Metropolitan Boroughs,
yet there is a certain amount of disappointment that the maternal
mortality rate has failed to respond to the strenuous measures
employed in recent years to secure a reduction in the number of
deaths from maternal causes.
Ignorance on the part of mothers and their relations as to the
necessity for skilled advice throughout pregnancy has still to be
combated.
An improvement in the mortality rate might be effected if
every pregnant woman would safeguard herself by insisting on
receiving ante-natal supervision by her own doctor or by attending
an ante-natal clinic.
In Camberwell, every endeavour is made to persuade the
pregnant woman to secure early and continuous ante-natal supervision.
In addition to the ante-natal clinics which are held at
Infant Welfare Centres in the Borough, the Clinics at St. Giles'
and Dulwich Hospitals are by arrangement with the London County
Council placed at the disposal of private medical practitioners and
practising midwives for patients who have made arrangements
to be confined in their own homes.
Practising midwives in the Borough have been requested on
many occasions to avail themselves of the facilities provided by the
Council to obtain for their patients ante-natal supervision at these
well-equipped clinics, but, unfortunately, these appeals have not
been very successful.
The Council also places at the disposal of pregnant women the
services of an obstetric specialist in cases of difficulty before, during
and after labour.
The establishment of a Municipal Midwives Service should,
however, assist in the effort which is being made to keep the maternal
mortality and morbidity rates at the lowest figure possible.
There were ten maternal deaths in Camberwell during 1935,
representing a maternal mortality rate of 3.07 per 1,000 live and
still births as compared with 2.46 in 1934, 4.77 in 1933, 2.15 in
1932, and 3.39 in 1931.
The following maternal mortality rate figures enable a comparison
to be made with the position of Camberwell and London
as a whole, as well as England and Wales.
Death rate from Death rate from other Total.
Puerperal Sepsis. Puerperal Causes.
The Borough 1.84 1-23 3.07
London 1.11 1.23 3.07
England and Wales 1.61 2.32 3.93