London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Acton 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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15
Midwifery Service.
Domiciliary Midwifery was performed as in previous years by
Queen Charlotte's Midwives.
During 1946, 360 women were recommended for admission to
Central Middlesex County Hospital for their confinements and of
these, 76 had to be refused owing to shortage of beds.
A fourth Ante-Natal clinic was opened at the beginning of the
year, but by the late Autumn pressure on the sessions was again so
heavy that a fifth session was started in December, 1946.
Number of new cases attending Clinics during year 1241
Total number of attendances made 5516
Average number attending weekly (4 clinics) 110
The following Table gives the stage of pregnancy at which the new cases reported for examination:-
| 1st month | - | 6th month | 110 |
| 2nd month | 45 | 7th month | 68 |
| 3rd month | 365 | 8th month | 20 |
| 4th month | 404 | 9th month | 12 |
| 5th month | 208 | 1232 |
33.2% came for examination when 1-3 months pregnant.
66.06% came for examination when 1-4 months pregnant.
96.8% of mothers whose confinements were notified, attended
the Ante-Natal clinics in the Borough, the, great majority being
referred either to Queen Charlotte's Hospital or Central Middlesex
County Hospital at the 36th week of pregnancy. 9 patients who
attended were found not to be pregnant.
The arrangements made by women for their confinements are
tabulated below:
Confined in Central Middlesex County Hospital 35.3%
Confined in Queen Charlotte's Hospital 13.3%
Confined in other Hospitals 5.6%
Confined in Nursing Homes 8.5%
Confined at home (Queen Charlotte's Midwives attending) 36.28%
Evacuated to Emergency Maternity Hostels 1.02%