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61
All Rhesus negative expectant mothers attending ante-natal
clinics were and are advised to have their confinements in
hospital. Blood pressure estimations were done at every examination,
in order to obtain warning of possible toxaemia.
Midwives in domiciliary practice were advised that in accordance
with the ruling of the Ministry of Health, they could in
extreme urgency, and when unable to obtain immediate medical
aid, summon the Obstetric Flying Squad direct. Finally, they were
reminded that (except in doctors' booked cases) patients with any
serious abnormality should be referred to the Consultant Obstetrician
at Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital.
During 1954 a letter of advice to Rhesus negative expectant
mothers was prepared enclosing an explanatory booklet. The latter
stressed the need for the examination of the husband's blood and
the special steps necessary if a home confinement was insisted
upon.
There were 18 Rhesus negatives and all Kahn tests were
negative.
The total of blood tests was 218—first tests 174 mothers and
4 fathers with 18 confirmatory tests and 22 for haemoglobin only.
The groupings were 0.98, A.68, B.9 and AB.8. Haemoglobin
estimations showed the following results :—
100+ = 1
90—99 = 18
80—89 = 86
70—79 = 65
60—69 = 15
50—59 = 1
40—49 = 1
i.e. 17 or 9.1% were under 70.
Instructions were given to midwives that where haemoglobin
estimations were found to be 65% or less, patients should be referred
to their family doctors with a request that they should be sent back
for a re-estimation of haemoglobin after 4/6 weeks. Family doctors
undertaking Maternity Medical Services were advised that blood
specimens could be taken from their patients either at an ante-natal
clinic or a weekly clinic at the Town Hall.
Ante-Natal Clinics.
An ante-natal clinic was started at West Avenue in order to
reduce travelling distances for mothers resident in that area who
previously attended the clinic at Markhouse Road.
It was considered necessary to commence another ante-natal
session at Silverdale Road Health Services Clinic and sessions are
now held there on the 1st and 3rd Monday afternoons each month.