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47
Maternal Mortality.
Each maternal death in the Borough whether occurring as a result
of childbirth or merely in association with pregnancy is investigated and
reports are received from the doctors and nurses concerned. From these
reports it is possible to conjecture with some degree of accuracy how many
maternal deaths were avoidable and how many were not.
Only 6 maternal deaths occurred this year compared with 18 in 1934, the
maternal mortality rate being 1.9 per 1,000 births compared with 5.45in 1934.
Of the six maternal deaths in 1935, three were accompanied by sepsis.
A. Sepsis following caesarian operation.
B. „ „ a normal confinement.
C. „ „ spontaneous non-criminal abortion.
Three cases were non-septic.
D. Chronic very advanced heart disease complicating pregnancy.
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F. Ruptured womb.
After considering all the available facts it can be said that two of the above
six cases were probably avoidable. Three of the six cases were probably insufficiently
physically fit for the strain of pregnancy, though two of these could
have improved their chances had they not discontinued necessary treatment.
It is possible that these latter two mothers were not to blame for their failure
to continue treatment as such may have been due to domestic or other difficulties.
It is not possible or fair to make the comments on these six deaths
more definite as it is difficult to judge the cases on the necessarily insufficient
evidence it is possible to obtain.
There appear to have been no " deaths following suspected cases of criminal
abortion " and on the whole the maternal mortality position in 1935 was very
good. It is most gratifying to be able to record such a great improvement.
Enquiry into Ante-Natal Supervision.
In view of the recent attention drawn to maternal mortality and the
concern felt that possibly many expectant mothers were not receiving adequate
ante-natal supervision I considered it advisable to make a special investigation
in the Borough in 1935.