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18
CARE OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
ANTE-NATAL CARE
The number of women who attended the Council's ante-natal clinics rose
slightly from 1,872 in 1965 to 2,009, although the number of births dropped by
129. Although a proportion of mothers attend at hospital clinics throughout
their ante-natal period, and others at sessions held by general practitioner
obstetricians either in Council premises or at their own surgeries, it is
apparent that the Council's sessions are fulfilling a need in giving care to
hospital booked mothers in the middle months of pregnancy in addition to 551
booked for home confinements.
Many mothers who have booked a maternity bed in hospital find it advantageous
to attend a Council ante-natal clinic as it is usually nearer their home and
the service given is more personal.

MATERNAL DEATHS
There were four maternal deaths in 1966, all of which occurred in association
with attempted abortion in early pregnancy. These sad occurrences have a background
of human ignorance of the dangers and distress involved in the practice
which must give cause for great concern to all those who have a responsibility
to give broadly based health education to girls and young women. None of the
deaths occurred in the post-natal period.
ILLEGITIMATE BIRTHS
The illegitimate birth rate dropped from 16.0 in 1965 to 14.9
ANTE-NATAL EDUCATION
During the ante-natal period classes of instruction in the preparation for
childbirth were conducted by health visitors and midwives in four of the centres,