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100
Miss Helen Rodway, F.R.C.O.G., Obstetrician/Superintendent,
contributes the following observations in regard to the period when
the Hospital was under the control of the Walthamstow Borough
Council.
"This report gives a summary of the work of Thorpe Coombe
from the opening date, 5th May, 1934, to 4th July, 1948, after
which date the Hospital was transferred under the National Health
Act from the Borough of Walthamstow to the North'East Metropolitan
Regional Board.
"From the opening date in May, 1934, until July 4th, 1948,
the service of Thorpe Coombe provided facilities for the confinements
of 11,437 women. These were chiefly those resident in
Walthamstow, although in the early years, some women living
outside the Borough were admitted. As increasing demands were
made on the Hospital services, it later became necessary to discontinue
the practice of admitting women who were resident outside
the district.
"From a small beginning with 229 confinements during the
first eight months from May to December, 1934, the annual number
of confinements rose to the peak figure of 1,253 in 1947. During
the war period, when many expectant mothers were evacuated to
safe areas, the number of confinements which took place in the
Hospital fell slightly. In 1939, there were 595 confinements, which
was 86 per cent. of the number for 1938, and the lowest figure
for any year of the war. On the other hand, in 1944, the number
of confinements was 907, which was 31 per cent. more than in 1938.
Following the war, the annual number of confinements continued to
increase, reaching 1,247 in 1946.
Ante-Natal Work.
"During their pregnancy, the majority of expectant mothers
attended the ante-natal clinic at regular intervals. In the period
under review, 12,610 women made an average of 7.6 attendances.
"Many mothers showed great interest in the Mothercraft
Lectures, which they attended with much enthusiasm; numbers
also attended classes for instruction and practice in ante-natal
exercise and preparation for childbirth.
"Among these 12,610 expectant mothers, there were 1,123 or
8.9 per cent. who were admitted during pregnancy for investigation,
rest or treatment. Of these, 413 or 36.8 per cent. required rest or
treatment on account of essential hypertension, cardiac nephritis or
toxaemia of pregnancy; 113 or 10.0 per cent. had pre-existing cardiac
disease; 125 or 11.1 per cent. had ante-partum haemorrhage.
"The number of viable infants born from May, 1934, to 4th
July, 1948, was 11,601. This includes 292 twin babies and six
triplets. The number of multiple births relative to the number of