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28
Ante-Natal Work and Provision for Maternity.—
Mothers are seen ante-natally by appointment. Those who wish
to go are sent to the Duchess of Marlborough's Maternity Home
for confinement. The Home is under the management of the
Royal Free Hospital. Every care is given to the mothers before
the birth of the child, and an examination is made six weeks
post partum. Where it is possible to pay the full fee they
do so, but in the majority of instances part of the expenses are
paid by the Council, which also provides an ambulance. This
arrangement has answered admirably in the small number of
cases for which it has been available. The accommodation is,
however, limited, and the majority of mothers cannot leave their
young families at the time of confinement.
Especial investigation was made in all cases with a history
of previous miscarriage. Of these there were 11 mothers, whose
total living children numbered 21, and whose infants lost at or
before birth numbered 26. During this year 7 of these mothers
have given birth to healthy normal infants. In the 4 instances
of miscarriage, 2 suffered from uterine prolapse, 1 from lead
poisoning and 1 from contracted pelvis.
Health of Pregnant
Mother.
Place of
Confinement.
Nature of
Confinement.
Teeth Sound 26 At Home 37 Normal
Teeth Caries 341.
Pyorrhœa 5
Dental
treatment
Duchess of
Marlborough's
Labours 35
Prematura
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 4 Home 19 Birth 3
Albuminuria 1 Hospital 3 Miscarriages 8
Glycosuria 1 Infirmary 1 Instrumental
Gastritis persistent 2 Labours 2
Ante partum Hæmorrhage 2 Placenta
Hæmorrhoids 5 Prævia 3
Cracked Nipples 3
Lacerated Cervix 2
Insufficient Nourishment 2
Varicose Veins 5
Death-rate of Infants under two years.—The number
of deaths among children who have attended the Centres has
been much higher than in any previous year. This is partly
due to the influenza epidemic, which accounted for five deaths,
and to the fact that the number of children attending has increased
to double what it was in 1917-18.