QUESTION ASKED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 19

QUESTION ASKED

SWEDISH MATERNITY

SERVICE

SHOULD MOTHERS BE

MARTYRS?

While the problem of motherhood— to be or not to be—is occupying the minds of so many people in New Zealand, it is interesting to read the

views of an overseas writer, who compares the maternity service in England with that of other countries. The death-rate of mothers in England, she points out, is twice that of Sweden and Holland, because the maternity services in those countries are far superior to the English, in spite of the mighty Empire of which we hear so much, and a women's movement which long led the women of the world, says a writer in an exchange.

In Holland the medical student devotes more time to midwifery and

women's diseases, and has better academic and clinical opportunities for i studying these branches. The Dutch midwife also has a better and longer training; she gets three years' theoretical and practical training by a wellequipped State institution. For Dutch mothers, an excellent ante-natal service is provided. It is the rule in Holland to admit them to maternity institutions two weeks before the birth, or earlier if they are at all unwell, not to rush them in at the eleventh hour.. [ SWEDEN'S ORGANISED SERVICE. In Sweden the maternity service is highly organised; the country is divided into 2000 midwifery districts, in 'each ■ of which there is a midwifery board. I presided over by the county medical , officer. ' In each area there are as many ' State obstetricians and midlives as are i required to attend to the c mfinements •of the district. No midvife is per- • mitted to take more than from 45 to 50 : confinements a year, so that she may i be able to nurse every, patient adequately. Reserve midwives relieve the i district midwives during illness and holidays.

The State obstetrician is a fullyqualified maternity expert. The mid-

wives have two years' training in a State institution/free of charge. They take also a periodical "refresher" course; they are State servants, receiving salary, paid holidays and pension, a free house, fuel, light, telephone, and the materials required for their work. dressing, disinfectants, drugs, and medicines. HOME HELPS—NEW ZEALAND'S NEED. Home helps get eighteen months' free training in State institutions, being taught cocking, housework, mending, care of children, general hygiene, with six months' practice in sick nursing. They, too, have a regular salary all the year round, instead ,of mere casual employment, as well as free lodging, fuel, and light. In the State maternity institutions all expenses are covered for about 335, including ante- and post-natal care, and the period spent in hospital during the confinement.. By paying a little more a separate room, or a room shared with one other patient, may be obtained. v These institutions are . staffed by experts.

The writer advocates for her country a co-ordinated service, including:— •

A staff of medical men and worsen specialising in maternity, assisted by highly-trained midwives. Hospital accommodation for all mothers needing or desiring it. Convalescent homes for all mothers willing to go to them. An adequate supply of home helps t. assist before/during, and after the confinement, as required. Inexpensive municipal hostels for the families of women in hospital where this would be helpful,' and' day nurseries and nursery schools sufficient to meet demand in all districts.