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
Barking 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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56
STILL-BIRTHS.
Of the total notifications received under the Notification of Births
Act, 20 related to stillborn children, giving a percentage of 2.7
compared with 2.6 in 1926. In addition, 5 Barking women were
delivered of stillborn infants in institutions outside the district,
so that the total number for the year was 25. Two cases were
of twin pregnancy—both infants being stillborn in one instance and
one infant only in the other.
Investigation of the health visitors elicited the following information:—
| (1) Duration of pregnancy:— | |
| (a) Less than seven months | 1 |
| (b) More than seven months | 21 |
| (c) Not elicited | 3 |
| (2) Presentation:— | |
| (a) Vertex | 11 |
| (b) Breech | 2 |
| (c) Transverse | 5 |
| (d) Not elicited | 7 |
| (3) Supposed cause of stillbirth:— | |
| (a) Abnormal presentation | 1 |
| (b) Overwork | — |
| (c) Accident, etc. | 4 |
| (d) Not known | 19 |
| (e) Ill health | — |
| (f) Strain | 1 |
4) Occupation of mother:—
All the mothers were engaged in household duties at home.
In addition, one woman did an occasional day's cleaning elsewhere,
whilst one was engaged in dressmaking at home.