Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[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 births | Died under one month | Stillbirths | |
---|---|---|---|
2lb. 3oz. or less | 13 | 10 | 12 |
Over 2lb. 3oz. up to and including 31b. 4oz | 21 | 5 | 10 |
Over 31b. 4oz. up to and including 41b. 6oz | 64 | 8 | 15 |
Over 41b. 6oz. up to and including 41b. 15oz. | 103 | 1 | 2 |
Over 4lb. 15oz. up to and including 5lb. 8oz. | 174 | 4 | 7 |
375 | 28 | 46 |
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 year | 120 |
First attendances of mothers | 462 |
Total attendances | 1,319 |
Average attendance at each session | 11 |