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1. Care of the Expectant Mother.
(a) Observation of the progress of pregnancy, detection of abnormalities
and discovery and correction of any other physical defects which
may exert a harmful effect on the process of gestation.
This work was carried out by the routine attention of the medical
practitioner or midwife who had been engaged for the confinement
In cases where a midwife only had been engaged it was necessary that
the expectant mother should be examined at least twice during pregnancy
by a medical practitioner. It was for this purpose that Antenatal
Clinics were established.
The Ante-natal Clinics were conducted by a panel of medical
practitioners practising in the borough. Expectant mothers were invited
to select from the names on the panel the practitioner whom they wished
to attend them in the event of the services of a doctor being needed at
the confinement. Appointments for the necessary examinations at the
Clinics by the doctor selected were then made by the Public Health
Department. Ante-natal examinations of those mothers who had
arranged to have their confinements in Institutions outside the Borough
were carried out by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
All attendances at the Ante-natal Clinics were by appointment, by
which means periods of waiting were reduced.
Ante-natal Clinics for those mothers attending the Beckenham
and Penge Joint Maternity Hospital were held at the Maternity Hospital:
for all other mothers they were held at the Borough Clinics at the Town
Hall and in Hawes Lane, West Wickham.
Ante-Natal Assistant Medical
Panel Officer
Sessions held 17 21
Number of expectant mothers
attending 65 69
Number of attendances made 138 224
(b) Inspection of home conditions; advice as to general hygiene, securing
extra nourishment, provision of extra clothing, etc.
The Health Visitors payed visits to the homes of expectant mothers
and assisted in all these matters—except in the cases of those mothers
who had engaged the services of a medical practitioner.
2. Arrangements for the Confinement.
(a) Institutions. (b) Mothers' own homes.
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