London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wandsworth 1972

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

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99
Premature infants
During the year there were 4,551 births, 386 (nearly 8%) fewer
than during 1971. The proportion of live premature births to the
total live births increased slightly from 7.8% in 1971 to 8.4% in
1972, there having been 375 live premature births in 1972 and
383 in 1971. There was a considerable change in the number of
premature stillbirths, which increased from 28 in 1971 to 46 in
1972. The following table gives details of the 1972 premature
births in Wandsworth:-

TABLE 36

Live birthsDied under one monthStillbirths
2lb. 3oz. or less131012
Over 2lb. 3oz. up to and including 31b. 4oz21510
Over 31b. 4oz. up to and including 41b. 6oz64815
Over 41b. 6oz. up to and including 41b. 15oz.10312
Over 4lb. 15oz. up to and including 5lb. 8oz.17447
3752846

Mothercraft and relaxation classes
Relaxation classes and talks on mothercraft are held at nine
centres. Ante-natal education has, in the past, concentrated
largely on preparing the expectant mother for labour and more
recently for the responsibilities of parenthood. At present more
and more emphasis is put on involving the fathers in the process
taking place, enabling them to accept their parental responsibility
together.
The classes are extremely popular and for this reason the
number of classes has been increased this year. The health
visitors in the Roehampton area hold a relaxation class in
Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton and this is proving to be
very successful.

TABLE 37

Sessions held during the year120
First attendances of mothers462
Total attendances1,319
Average attendance at each session11