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71
Instructions to midwives require that where haemoglobin
estimations were found to be 65% or less, patients should be referred
to their family doctors with a request that they might 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.
Details of Ante-natal Clinics held in Walthamstow are given
on page 75 of this Report.
Relaxation Classes.
Relaxation classes have been continued at Markhouse Road
Welfare Centre on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and at West Avenue Weifare
Centre at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. A new class was started
during the year at Silverdale Road Health Centre Clinic and this
is held on Thursdays at 2 p.m.
These classes prepare the mother for her confinement and
considerable benefit can be derived from them. Talks are given at
the classes by specially trained Health Visitors and these talks include
preparations for confinement and layette, advice on suitable clothing
and footwear, personal hygiene and explanation of the
mechanism of labour. The classes are held in conjunction with the
Ante-Natal Clinics at the respective Welfare Centres. Eightyfive
sessions were held during the period under review involving a total
of 420 attendances.
Toddlers' Clinic.
The toddlers' clinic continued at West Avenue Welfare
Centre and sessions are held fortnightly on a Friday afternoon.
VIRUS INFECTIONS DURING PREGNANCY
Ministry of Health Enquiry
New registrations have ceased but the follow up continued.
CONFINEMENTS
The following table shows the location of confinements during
1955 :—
Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital 1,142
Other Hospitals and Maternity Homes 353
Total in Hospital, etc. 1,495
At Home 327
Total Confinements 1,822