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39
mother does not get a distorted idea of her labour. The process of
labour is explained and the mother is shown how she can help herself.
The health visitor quietly and without fuss educates the mother in her
role as a parent after the birth of her child giving her confidence that
she will be able to manage.
Some hospitals, early pioneers in ante-natal exercises, are discontinuing
them because they do not think they are of much value. This
may be because physiotherapists took the classes. But the Local Health
Authority ante-natal exercise classes, with which is allied mothercraft,
are organised on quite different lines and all who take part in them are
convinced of their usefulness.
Mothers' Club.
Following the ante-natal relaxation classes a number of mothers
expressed the wish that there should be a continuation of the chance to
meet other mothers after the child was born. They wished to meet
together in the evenings to share their experiences with other mothers
and learn how the others deal with little problems which arise with a
young child.
One of the health visitors at Leyton Green Clinic commenced a
Mothers' Club there in February, 1956. The first attendance was 12
and at this meeting the mothers expressed a desire to discuss their
children's problem, and so the first three meetings of the Club were
of the seminar type at which one of the medical officers and Miss Laquer,
Psychiatric Social worker at Walthamstow Child Guidance Clinic, discussed
behaviour problems with mothers. It is hoped to continue from
time to time meetings stressing the importance of the earlier years of a
child's life and the promotion of their future mental health. At other
meetings they had lectures and film shows on foot health, home safety,
toy-making and outings to places of general interest were arranged.
Since that time keep-fit classes have been organised in connection
with further activities of the Education Committee. There is no doubt
that this extension to the normal services is of immense value to the
mother, child and the health visitor inasmuch as they all get to know
each other so well and health education is welcomed and not forced
upon them.
Distribution of Welfare Foods.
During the year the distribution of welfare foods continued at five
centres on 17 sessions per week.
Three of these sessions were manned by members of the Women's
Voluntary Services but they left to take up other duties. In consequence
it was necessary to take on staff for these sessions.
The "take up" of Welfare Foods shows a steady decline with the
exception of Orange Juice. This is strange when it is considered that the
attendances at the Child Welfare Clinics show a rise of 11% over the
previous year.
Day Nurseries.
It is interesting to record the changes that are taking place in the
types of admissions to day nurseries. When the day nurseries were first
opened during the War it was with the express purpose of releasing