View report page

Of 153 women (5.5 per cent.) who were primiparae, only six were primiparae over 30 years
of age. Several maternity hospitals in London do not regard primigravidae under 30 years
of age as a priority group because of the demand for beds.
A total of 410 women (14.7 per cent.) were para 4 and upwards and should have been
confined in hospital. The figures were similar in cases attended by L.C.C., D.N.A., and
hospital district midwives. All midwives are instructed to advise women para 4 and upwards
to book a hospital bed. Table (x)c shows that in fact a third of these women were
offered hospital confinement. The remaining 263 women, para 4 and upwards, who were
not confined in hospital may have refused, may have been booked by doctors for maternity
medical services before they were interviewed by the midwife or may have attended for
the first time too late to book a hospital bed.
146