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44
MATERNITY SERVICES.
ANTE-NATAL SUPERVISION.
Home Visiting.
During the year the health visitors paid a total of 1,347 visits
to 920 expectant mothers.
Ante-natal Clinics.
The following summarises the work done at the clinics during
the year:—
Total number of expectant mothers attending the
clinics 2,044
Total number of attendances by expectant mothers
at all clinics 8,814
Percentage of total notified births (live and still)
represented by the number of expectant mothers
attending the clinics 59
Consultant Ante-natal Clinic.
The consultant ante-natal clinic was held fortnightly throughout
the year. During the year 214 women made 299 attendances.
General Practitioner Ante-natal Scheme.
The same arrangements by which pregnant women can receive
ante-natal supervision by their own medical attendants was continued
last year. Again only a very limited use was made of the
scheme, 19 patients being seen by four practitioners. Of this
number, five were insured patients.
Only one woman attended for post-natal examination.
ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR CONFINEMENTS.
At Home.
1,572 confinements took place in the patients' own homes. Of
these 855 were attended by midwives acting in their capacity as
midwives, and 717 by local midwives who had given notice of
their intention to practise, acting as maternity nurses.
In 550 cases the Council paid or contributed to the fees of
the midwife, and in 199 cases a home help was provided.
Consultant services:—During the year the consultant was
summoned to 17 cases. Five were ante-natal patients, one a case
of post-maturity, two of toxaemia, and two of haemorrhage. Four
of these patients were immediately removed to hospital for treatment.
Three consultations were in respect of puerperal febrile
patients in nursing homes. One consultation was with the regard
to the general condition of the patient after delivery at which there