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17
Stillbirths.
The rate per 1,000 births is 19.4, a reduction of four
per 1,000 compared with the previous year. If the figure
is to be still further reduced the expectant mother must
have a better understanding of the importance of antenatal
hygiene; for from the enquiries made into the 15
stillbirths which occurred in Bromley, if complete care
and supervision had been exercised many of these would
have been live births. Twelve occurred in the first
pregnancy, while three occurred later than the third
pregnancy. Five of the stillbirths occurred as a result of
malpresentation at birth, being apparently normal up to
the time of actual confinement.

For the five years ending 1935, 99 stillbirths have been
recorded—rate equal to 29 per 1,000. This rate does not
show reduction.
It is apparent that if the cause of stillbirth is to be
pathologically investigated, and action taken to prevent
the occurrence of stillbirth, each death should be verified
by skilled post mortem examination. It is only by
knowing the cause that steps can be taken to prevent this
waste of life and the consequent distress to the parents.
The following table gives the statistics of stillbirths
occurring in the area since the inception of compulsory
registration of stillbirths in 1927:—