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Total first Attendances 709
„ Re-Attendances 3,692
„ Attendances 4,401*
,, Sessions 232
* In addition there were 38 Post-Natal, and 96 Gynaecological Attendances.
It is by no means unsatisfactory that out of about 1,200 births, somewhat over
700 women attended at your Ante-Natal centres, but in the absence of evidence
that the remaining 500 cases were under adequate supervision, the figure of 709
first attendances must be regarded as one on which to improve.
My opinion is that the Midwives Bill at present before Parliament will lead to
a fuller measure of co-ordination and co-operation in this work, and this figure
will improve.
It is, however, satisfying to note that a large number of the women who avail
themselves of the facilities offered at ante-natal clinics are approaching their first
pregnancy, and that these women on the whole attend regularly.
Details of the milk and meals supplied to expectant mothers are given on
pages 14-16.
(b) Still-births.—Last year I was in the unhappy position to state that there
were no less than 56 still-births. This year I am happy to be able to say the figure
has dropped to 30, but even this, is in my opinion, too high. In no less than 19 of
these cases the cause of death was definitely stated to be unknown. It is of course
a very difficult task indeed to get reliable information on which to base an opinion
which would justify me in advising you of the steps necessary to deal with the
difficulty.
(c) Midwifery.—The Council became the Local Supervising Authority for
Midwives as from the 1st April, 1935.