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Maternal Mortality.—During the year 1936, 4 deaths
occurred which were attributed to complications of pregnancy
or childbirth. There were no maternal deaths during the year
1935. The maternal mortality rate per 1,000 total births was
therefore 5.5 for 1936, as compared with nil the previous year.
The certified causes of these maternal deaths were as follows :—
1. Syncope,
Haemorrhage,
Natural Miscarriage.
2. Toxaemia of Pregnancy.
3. Post Partum Haemorrhage,
Retention of Morbidly adherent placenta,
Mitral Regurgitation.
4. Toxaemia of Pregnancy,
Broncho.Pneumonia.
None of these mothers had been under supervision at the Council's
Ante.Natal Clinic and on enquiry it was revealed that cases 1
and 2 above had received no ante.natal attention. With regard
to cases 3 and 4, these appear to have had some degree of medical
supervision during pregnancy but the confinements presented
difficulties owing to grave concurrent complications such as heart
disease in one instance, and broncho.pneumonia in the other.
With a view to bringing the facilities offered by the Council's Health
Services to a wider field of residents, 10,000 booklets were distributed
in which, in the appropriate portion devoted to the care of the
Mother and Child, emphasis is given to the importance of regular
medical supervision of all expectant mothers.
In this connection it is gratifying to note that the work of the
Ante.Natal Clinic has again increased during the year. 257 new
cases have to be recorded with a total number of attendances
of 1,423 as compared with 228 new cases and 888 total attendances
for the year 1935.
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