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32
SECTION 23
MIDWIFERY
Domiciliary
Confinement
Rate
There were 3,598 births (3,557 live and 41 stillbirths) to
Redbrldge mothers in 1967 and of these 797 were born at home,
making a hospital confinement rate of 77.85% and a domiciliary
confinement rate of 22.15%. There were 5 domiciliary stillbirths,
and no maternal deaths were recorded among either
hospital or domiciliary confinements.
Miss M. A. Potter, Superintendent of Midwives and District
Nurses reports as follows on the Domiciliary Midwifery
Service:—
At the end of the year the staff consisted of one nonmedical
supervisor (with dual responsibilities) and fifteen
midwives, two of whom were employed part-time.
Baby Sparklet Oxygen apparatus can be used by midwives,
if necessary, to enable the baby born at home to have oxygen
in the first 10 minutes of life.
The Entonox apparatus for the administration of the premixed
nitrous oxide and oxygen have replaced the gas and air
machines. There are thirteen Entonex for home confinements.
Psychopi-ophylaxis in Childbirth
One midwife, with one health visitor, attended a three day
course (week-end) sponsored by the National Childbirth Trust.
Sterile Maternity Equipment
The pupil midwives from Barking Hospital are using prepacked
sterilised maternity equipment for home delivery. This
equipment is made up into packs and sterilised by the Central
Sterilizing Department at Barking Hospital.
Training of Pupil Midwives
During the year 42 completed their training on the district
and 41 passed the Central Midwives Board Part II examination.
Obstetric Nurses
Seventeen were given an insight into the domiciliary
maternity services.
Inspection of Midwives
This was carried out by the non-medical Supervisor of
Midwives. All the midwives maternity equipment was in good