"MOTHER'S CHARTER"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 15 September 1928, Page 14

"MOTHER'S CHARTER"

WOMEN'S RECOMMENDATIONS

The following are the chief recommendations being issued by the International Council of Women to women Js societies affiliated to National Councils all over the world: — 1. Education of the public as to the need for care of tho mother during pregnancy and childbirth. 2. Compulsory notification of puerperal septicaemia in countries where such notification is lacking. ' 3. That each country should consider what is necessary to ensure full facilities for the training of medical students, midwives, and nurses, and to provide post-graduate courses for them. 4. Provision of special consulting obstetricians who can be called on to attend difficult cases for a fixed fee. 5. Better regulation and inspection of all hospitals and nursing homes for ly-ing-in women, and increased provision of hospital accommodation for women. 6. Provision of ante-natal clinics and supervision of expectant mothers by doctors, assisted by midwives and public health nurses. Pre-maternity centres, 'together with homes, where expectant mothers can reside for a time when necessary. 7. Education work on the care of mothers to bo undertaken by public health authorities; Mothers' Health Weeks; supply of free leaflets and prenatal letters, such as has been done successfully in certain . districts of the United States, Canada, and Australia. 8. Fathers' classes for courses of instruction for fathers, regarding their

Sport and General, photo.

responsibility as to the health of wives and children, and as to their responsibilities regarding the health and welfare of the general community. 9. Classes for growing-up girls. 10. Provision of Home Helps, who could be engaged by the mothers to look after tho homo and children while the mother is laid up. 11. Mothers having a claim to receive maternity benefit to be encouraged to place themselves under ante-natal supervision. 12. Dental care during pregnancy. 13. Centres for free treatment of expectant mothers who have contracted venereal diseases. Reports whicharc now being received show how different countries are endeavouring to put these recommendations—or at least some of them —into force.