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Maternal Mortality.—During the year 1937, 3 deaths occurred
which were attributed to complications of pregnancy or childbirth.
There were 4 maternal deaths during the year 1936. The maternal
mortality rate per 1,000 total births was therefore 3'9 for 1937, as
compared with 5.5 the previous year.
The certified causes of these maternal deaths were as follows:—
1. Prolonged Labour,
Occipito-posterior Presentation.
2. Broncho-pneumonia.
3. Pulmonary Embolism,
Parturition.
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 supervision during pregnancy at the AnteNatal
Departments of Maternity Hospitals. With regard to case 3,
this appeared to have had some degree of medical supervision during
pregnancy but the confinement took place outside the London area.
The success of the measures adopted to safeguard maternity is
largely dependent on liaison between the Borough Council's Clinic
and the medical practitioners, midwives and voluntary hospitals
and, in this connection, it is gratifying to note the close co-operation
between the Council's officers and those with whom they are associated
in the maternity services. All steps are taken to induce
expectant mothers to attend the Ante-Natal Clinic early in pregnancy
and to continue in regular attendance so that any abnormalities
may be early detected and appropriately treated. 69 per cent,
of the births to Stoke Newington mothers take place in hospitals
outside the borough and the facilities offered at the Ante-Natal
Clinic are fully utilised.
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