View report page

43
Of the 59 summonses to a patient during pregnancy 28 were because
of albuminuria, œdema, or toxaemia, and 18 because of haemorrhage.
Of the 70 summonses to a patient during labour the reason given
in 41 instances was delayed labour with cause unspecified. In a further
9 there was some abnormal presentation. Eight summonses were to
patients suffering from abortion (actual or threatened).
81 of the 120 summonses to patients in the puerperium were on
account of rupture of the perineum. Post-partum haemorrhage, with or
without adherence of the placenta was the reason in 7, a raised temperature
in 12, phlebitis 6, and inflamed breast one.
Of the 39 summonses to infants, 9 were on account of some discharge
from the eye, 17 because of feebleness or asphyxia, 8 because of deformity
(including 2 of phimosis) and 4 some other abnormal state or condition.
288 out of 883 midwifery cases attended is a percentage rate of 32.3.
The corresponding figure in 1942 was 33.1.
Local Authority's Midwifery Service: The same arrangements
continued in force, the 16 midwives working in four teams of four. The
adoption of the recommendations of the Rushcliffe Committee in regard
to off-duty time entailed only a modification of these times to provide
for the longer week-end break.
The number of patients attended by the Council's midwives was 787
in which they acted as midwives, and 302 in which they acted as maternity
nurses, a total of 1,089.
Of the patients attended by midwives acting as such, 373 were
assisted to pay the full amount, in 149 cases no charge was made, while
265 were assisted. The corresponding figures in regard to patients
attended by midwives acting as maternity nurses were 232, 38, and 32.
The average number of cases attended by each midwife was 68.
Home Helps: There was no easing of the difficulties in providing
home helps to attend the homes of mothers being confined, the increased
remuneration not proving sufficient attraction. During the year 195
cases were attended by home helps under the Council's scheme.
Consultant Services: During the year consultants were summoned to
nine patients, two of whom were in labour, two were ante-natal cases and
five post-natal. Of the cases in labour, in the one of extended breech
delivery was assisted; but the other, a case of slight disproportion, was
allowed to deliver herself by natural forces. Both the ante-natal patients,
the one suffering from disproportion and the other from post-maturity,
were admitted to hospital. Of the five post-natal patients, four were
suffering from post-partum haemorrhage, two being due to retention of
the placenta; in two of these blood transfusion was given and the patient
removed to hospital; in one the placenta was removed under general
anaesthesia, while the other patient was immediately admitted to hospital.
The fifth was a case of pulmonary embolism who was subsequently
admitted to hospital.
Institutional Confinements.
Number of Confinements: 1,139 births occurred in registered nursing
homes in this district. 408 births to mothers from outside districts which