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92
Maternal Mortality.
It is regrettable that, despite all our facilities and efforts, 5 deaths
in 1927 occurred which were certified to be due to puerperal sepsis or
other puerperal causes.

As regards the position generally, it is interesting to note that the
Registrar General in his Annual Summary for 1924, pointed out that,
taking England and Wales as a whole, after falling steadily down
during the periods 1891-1895, 1896-1900, 1901-1905, 1906-1910,
maternal mortality had remained stationary, apart from minor
fluctuations, during the last fourteen years. Since 1924, there have
been but minor variations in the rate.
Every maternal death occurring in the person of a Hampstead
woman is investigated by the special sub-committee of the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee, with a view to ascertaining if
there are any additional measures that can be adopted to safeguard
maternity. Our aim is to see that, so far as is possible, all unnecessary
risks are eliminated, that the expectant mother shall be relieved of all
anxiety, and that such arrangements are made as will prevent any
woman being left with any disabling injury which may cause illness.
The deaths of the 5 women above referred to, were thus investigated
during the year. The following is the information concerning these
cases:—
Case No. 1. Aged 32 years.
Died at home on 4th February, from "adherent placenta,
post-partum hæmorrhage, syncope."
Live birth, 4th February.
Patient attended by Jubilee Midwife and doctor.
Consultant called in under the scheme of the Borough Council.