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The number of births has steadily decreased since 1965, and the percentage
of hospital confinements has increased from 61.7% to 64.5%, the percentage of
planned early discharge cases has increased from 7.6% to 11.3%, and the percentage
of domiciliary births has decreased from 30.7% to 24.2%.
Domiciliary midwives attended 964 confinements.
They also undertook the care of 452 patients discharged home after hospital
confinement before the tenth day, the majority being patients for whose care
arrangements had been made under the Council's planned early discharge scheme.
The figure includes, however, those who took their own early discharge from hospital
and also some who were booked for home confinement but who were subsequently
admitted to hospital as emergency cases.
Each patient under the care of a domiciliary midwife is issued with a maternity
pack shortly before the expected date of confinement.
Each expectant mother booked for domiciliary confinement receives a copy
of " The Baby Book ", which contains information and advice on health during
pregnancy and guidance on the rearing of young children. Those booked for
hospital confinement and who attend the hospital during the ante-natal period
normally receive a similar book.
Planned Early Discharge of Maternity Patients
Planned early discharge schemes for suitable patients are in operation in
conjunction with North Middlesex and Chase Farm Hospitals in order to ensure,
in the present shortage of maternity beds, a maximum number of admissions to
hospitals for those who require hospital delivery on medical or social grounds.
Cases are also accepted on occasions from other hospitals. Patients who are
discharged home early under this scheme are usually cared for by the part-time
midwives.
Care of Premature Infants
The number of babies notified during the year who weighed 5½ lb. or less
at birth (the accepted criterion for prematurity) was 261. Thirty-five were born
at home, and midwives cared for 21 of them at home for the full statutory period
of 28 days. All the children born at home survived.
Liaison with General Practitioners
A close liaison between midwives and family doctors continued to be maintained
and midwives attended 29 ante-natal sessions conducted by general medical
practitioners at their surgeries. One midwife was attached to a busy group practice
with a heavy ante-natal clinic.
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