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85
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
(Section 23)
At the end of 1954 there were ten midwives employed directly by the
County Council and one midwife in private practice in the Area. Of the
County Council midwives seven work in Tottenham and three in Hornsey.
Seven midwives are approved teachers of district midwifery and six pupil
midwives are received every three months throughout the year for training.
It is hoped to extend the teaching work in the Area in the future as it is an
important factor in maintaining a high standard of midwifery practice. It
also necessitates the midwives keeping themselves informed of the methods of
modern practice and advances.
The number of confinements has remained at a similar level to that of
1953. There were 524 deliveries by the domiciliary midwives in 1954 compared
with 572 for 1953. The average number of cases per midwife was 51.2. In
addition to conducting confinements the midwives attend ante-natal clinics and
thus have an opportunity of examining their own 'booked' cases. Several
visits are paid to each patient's home during the ante-natal period in order
that the midwife may advise on points regarding preparation for confinement
and also to afford the patient an opportunity of getting to know the midwife.
Psychologically it is valuable for a good midwife patient relationship to
exist and everything is done to foster this.
Analgesia is available for use by all the midwives and every patient is
introduced to and instructed in the use of the gas-air apparatus before
confinement.
It is anticipated that during the coming year midwives will be fully
trained in the administration of Trilene, which is a more effective analgesia.
Sterilised maternity outfits were supplied throughout the year for use
at all home confinements.
The following table shows an analysis of the midwives' work:-