Maternal mortality : report of meeting held at Friends' House. Euston Road on November 15, 1932
1932-11 1932 1930s 36 pages ing from a gynaecological condition, so that these women for whom any pregnancy would be absolutely disastrous are not eligible for advice from a Local Authority until they are already pregnant. In addition to the 514 deaths due to intercurrent disease, 470 were due to a...
| Institution: | MCR - The Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick |
|---|---|
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
London : Maternal Mortality Committee,
November 1932
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10796/E1A122D8-8E5A-45A0-A6CF-38DCAAB032BE http://hdl.handle.net/10796/62AE7229-210A-4B2C-B13E-85063B52B62B |
| Summary: | 1932-11
1932
1930s
36 pages
ing from a gynaecological condition, so that these women for whom any pregnancy would be absolutely disastrous are not eligible for advice from a Local Authority until they are already pregnant. In addition to the 514 deaths due to intercurrent disease, 470 were due to abortion. Obviously, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to separate the deaths due to self-induced abortion, but the rise of the death-rate, which was 21 per cent. during two years, is disquieting, and the Committee state that it "would appear that there has been an increase in the actual number of cases, both fatal and non-fatal." The conclusion is borne out by the statements of Medical Officers of Health. The evidence has led many to conclude that birth control is the only practical alternative in many areas. To-day twenty-five Local Authorities in England and Wales have made some definite provision for giving birth control advice within the terms of the Memorandum in connection with their Maternity and Child Welfare Schemes. In addition to that, there are five Local Authorities who have made arrangements with voluntary clinics and who pay fees or give donations for the purpose. There are a few others who have given instructions to their Medical Officers to give advice, and several who have passed a pious resolution, but have done nothing more whatever. It is quite obvious that many will do nothing more whatever unless some pressure is put upon them. In one big town the Local Authority has lent to my Association the premises of a Maternity and Child Welfare Centre for use as a voluntary birth control clinic and this is a combination of municipal and voluntary effort which I think might most usefully be copied elsewhere. The National Birth Control Association directs its main effort to working with Local Authorities, offering facilities for the training of nurses and doctors (if necessary), telling them how such a clinic may be run with the least expense (and often that is a great deal less than people realise), helping them to get appliances at reduced rates, and generally offering advice on any point on which they want it. My Association welcomes the resolution before this meeting and hopes very much indeed that you will urge your Local Authorities to use all their present powers and will also press for an extension along the lines indicated in the Final Report of the Departmental Committee. Miss KELLY (Royal Naval Maternity Home, Portsmouth) : Lady Iveagh, I want to be allowed to say a word from the point of view of post-natal service. The Departmental Committee in both their Reports have drawn attention to the need for this service. They have shown that in view of the fact that many women are left after confinement with some disease or disability (22)
292/824/1/45 |
|---|---|
| Physical Description: | TEXT |