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Nearly all the girls had had intercourse before coming to the clinic and the methods of birth control
most commonly used were withdrawal or sheaths. The methods used after attending the clinic were:
Only 25 patients out of 222 failed to attend for a second appointment. Most of these had chosen
the Pill and so should have returned after 6 weeks but in the event, failed to keep their appointment.
44 patients had had unwanted pregnancies. Of these 36 had illegitimate children (4 had 2 illegitimate
children). 8 had had therapeutic or back-street abortions. (1 had had 2 abortions. 10 of these
girls attended once only. (This number is included in the 25 previously mentioned).
Only 4 of these girls were going to marry the father of the child. 24 had their babies adopted and
12 were keeping their babies. All but 7 of these girls were office workers.
It may be of interest to record some assessment of the number needing counselling. (It is of course
recognised that this assessment is necessarily subjective).
(1) Girls who had a stable, mature relationship most probably leading to marriage 107 (+4)
(2) Girls who got married while attending the clinic. (Most aged between 19-22 years) 16
(3) Good relationships not necessarily leading to marriage 20 (+13)
(4) Sexual problems. Immature relationships 35 (+27)
The figures in brackets are those with unwanted pregnancies. Thus, just under one third of the
patients seen needed counselling.
Comments
The girls with unwanted pregnancies present a depressingly consistent picture of ignorance about
sex and immature relationships. This is where education and counselling are necessary. They
often have unhappy home backgrounds, are unable to communicate with their parents and have
looked for affection elsewhere. They usually know their boyfriends for only a short time before
they have intercourse and are surprised when they become pregnant and think their boyfriend will
marry them. They become disappointed and humiliated when their boyfriends no longer "want to
know". Some quickly find another boyfriend who may take care of them during pregnancy, but is
not necessarily a more satisfactory relationship than the previous one. Others reject the whole
of the opposite sex, at least for the time being. "I've gone off men" is a common statement. But
nevertheless they may come for advice because they cannot trust themselves in a similar situation.
These girls mostly come from other London Boroughs to have their babies, then leave Haringey 6
weeks after the baby is born so that there is little time for confidence to be established. They
tend to be very sensitive to criticism and fear they may be given a lecture on morals. The girls
at the Home seemed surprised that only a straightforward talk on contraception was given. This
suggests that a shortcoming of this type of clinic is that, (as judged from my experience with the
Unmarried Mothers' Home), there are girls who need contraceptive advice but who are reluctant
because of their personal problems, to come along.
I feel it is essential that those with immature relationships should have both counselling as well
as contraceptive advice, to avoid unwanted pregnancies. I know that it is feared by some that
less patients will therefore be seen because of the time needed to do this, but it takes courage
for these girls to come to a clinic. Their motivation is often poor. Pregnancy may mean showing
their parents that they too are grown up and it reassures them about their femininity. It often
seems it is the pregnant state that they desire rather than a baby.
There seems to be a fear that clinics of this kind encourage promiscuity. I believe that this is
not so. Most of the girls seem to have mature relationships and often mention that they would
get married but for the time needed to save for a home. Another feature is that boyfriends and
fiances very often accompany the girls. They also want information and the decision of what to
use is then made by both partners. (I see far fewer husbands at an ordinary F.P. Clinic).
Oral contraceptive 186
Diaphragm 25
I.U.C.D. 4
Sheaths and pessaries 3
Foam 2
Nil 2 (2 mentally retarded girls who had been referred for counselling).
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