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61
Deliveries
The most significant increase was in the number of confinements conducted by the
midwives 939 women were delivered in 1962, a rise of 300 cases in the past three years.
These women received a total of 16,206 visits. It is not possible to estimate the amount
of time spent with a woman in labour. This can vary from a few hours to 48 hours or
more. The same can be said of visits during the early days following confinement.
Although it is usual to allow 40 minutes for these visits, this must often be exceeded as
feeding and other problems arise. In this connection the very young mother is an
increasing factor to be considered. These immature young women require a great deal of
support and encouragement before, during and after their confinements.
Early Discharge from Hospital
175 women were discharged from hospital at the third day or earlier following their
confinements. The majority of these were patients sent into hospital by the midwives
because of some deviation from the normal.
There is at present no scheme for planned early discharges. It is anticipated that
arrangements for this will have to be made in 1963.
Shortage of Hospital Beds
The shortage of hospital beds remains acute and this, together with the high number
of women admitted to hospital via the Emergency Bed Service, is an unsatisfactory aspect
of the midwifery service. Many of these patients are ultimately delivered at home
without adequate preparation or facilities.
Ante natal Clinics
Each midwife attends a local authority clinic and in addition four midwives attend
ante natal sessions at the surgeries of general practitioners. It has been found that this
makes for excellent liaison between patients, doctors and midwives.