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17
Although the maternal mortality figure for Hornsey is not
high (it is less than 3 per 1,000 births for 1934, and therefore
lower than the average for the country as a whole), nevertheless
careful consideration has been given to these circulars and the
memorandum.
The expectant mother in Homsey has open to her a number
of ways in which she may provide for medical and other services
necessary to safeguard her health during the expectant period
and at her confinement.
(1) She may consult her private doctor, whose duty it is
to advise her on all matters relating to her health, and assist
her in obtaining a nurse or midwife or consultant if there is any
difficulty anticipated. When the mother is too poor to pay for
a consultant, and yet does not wish to go to Hospital, the
Council provide a consultant at the request of the doctor.
(2) She may decide to employ a midwife for her confinement.
If any difficulty arises, it is the midwife's duty to call
in a doctor, whose fee is paid by the County Council.
(3) She may attend one of the Council's Ante-natal Clinics,
where advice is given and arrangements can be made for the
confinement to be conducted by the Municipal Midwife or in
Hospital.
(4) She may make her own arrangements for ante-natal care
and confinement and post-natal care at one of the Maternity
Hospitals of the Metropolis, or in the Maternity Department of
one of the General Hospitals.
Whatever method she chooses, there is available for her
every known method of ante-natal, obstetric and post-natal
examination, and all the services ancillary to the obstetric art.
No maternal death or disability in Hornsey can be attributed
to failure on the part of the various agencies, voluntary and
official, to provide the necessary services.