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her pregnancy is watched and if treatment is necessary she
is sent to her own doctor or to hospital. A report of the examination
is sent to the midwife when one is engaged. Instruction
in the care of her own health and in preparation for
her baby is given. Milk is supplied to necessitous cases and
dental treatment is recommended and increasing advantage
of it is being taken. When dentures are required they are
obtained through the Voluntary Association, who also help
with the cost when mothers cannot pay the full amount.
The health visitors and the municipal midwives attend
the clinic in turn and visit those patients who do not keep
their appointments.
A small number of patients return for a postnatal examination,
but the majority of those attended by the municipal
midwives will do so in future. Those confined in Wellhouse
return there for examination.
During the year 413 women attended the antenatal clinic
of whom 395 were pregnant, 179 being first and 216 second
or subsequent pregnancies. Fourteen were found not pregnant
and 4 came because of sterility. The total attendances
were 1,482. At the end of the year 110 had not been confined
and 18 had left the district. As far as could be ascertained
227 had normal confinements. Eleven patients had instrumental
deliveries, 7 breech, and there were 6 sets of twins.
Eight pregnancies ended in stillbirths and 6 in miscarriages.
Two mothers had serious organic heart disease. One was
in hospital for several weeks before and after her confinement
and the other had a premature baby which died.
Midwives Act, 1936.
The Local Supervising Authority is the County Council
but the Town Council act as their agents in the provision
of a domiciliary midwifery service in pursuance of the above
Act.
Two midwives have been appointed by the Town Council
and they took up their duties in October, 1937. Owing to the
fact that most mothers make arrangements for their confinements
several months ahead, the midwives did not attend
many cases before the end of the year.
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