On its website, Midwifery Today features a timeline entitle The History of Midwifery and Childbirth In America. The timeline extends from 1660 to the late 1990’s. It contains interesting tidbits of information about childbirth practices, interspersed with general historical events. It seems quite comprehensive with the exception of one curious omission. It barely mentions mortality statistcs.
To my mind, the history of childbirth is a continuing effort to master its inherent dangers. Childbirth is and has always been, in every time, place and culture, one of the leading causes of death of young women and the leading cause of death of newborns. Indeed, the primary purpose of a childbirth attendant is to increase the chance that the mother will live, at least, and hopefully the baby will live too.
The secondary purpose of a childbirth attendant is to comfort the mother as she endures the excruciating pain of labor. The history of childbirth has also been a continuing effort to master the pain of childbirth. That’s another curious omission from the Midwifery Timeline. It makes no mention of chloroform, general anesthesia or epidurals, arguably among the most important advances in the history of childbirth.
I suspect that the reason for these glaring omissions reflects the direct entry midwifery obsession with process. The outcome, whether or not the mother or baby lived, is virtually irrelevant.
Perhaps another reason why the timeline is silent on the issue of mortality statistics is that they illustrate the spectacular success of modern American obstetrics. For hundreds of years midwives presided over childbirth and had almost no impact on the appalling rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. It was only with the advent of modern obstetrics that the mortality rates began to fall.
I thought it might be interesting to look at the statistics that the Midwifery Today timeline left out. I took as the starting point the timeline itself. It faithfully chronicles the movement of birth from the home to the hospital starting in 1900. In every decade, it reports the ever increasing percentage of hospital births. Yet it is silent on massive declines in maternal and infant mortality that occurred simultaneously. For each point in the timeline where the percentage of hospital deliveries is mentioned, I looked up the corresponding maternal and neonatal mortality rates. This graph is the result.
As the percentage of births in the hospital rose, the maternal and neonatal mortality plunged. The graph is a powerful way of demonstrating that the association is dramatic. During the 1900’s, for the first time in history, using the tools of modern obstetrics, the terrible inherent dangers of childbirth were mastered. Could we do even better? No doubt, and the search continues to make birth even safer than it is today. As Dr. Atul Gawande wrote in his New Yorker article (The Score, How childbirth went industrial), “Nothing else in medicine has saved lives on the scale that obstetrics has.” The graph makes that very clear indeed.
Infant and maternal mortality rates abstracted from CDC on Infant and Maternal Mortality in the United States: 1900-1999. Although neonatal mortality is a much better measure of obstetric practice, neonatal mortality figures were not collected in the earlier part of the century. Therefore, infant mortality statistics are used as a proxy, albeit imperfect.
This piece first appeared in December 2009.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
russian girl names
[…]although web-sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we really feel they may be actually really worth a go through, so have a look[…]
bitcoin virtual card
[…]below you will find the link to some websites that we think you ought to visit[…]
virtual card buy with bitcoin
[…]here are some hyperlinks to web sites that we link to for the reason that we think they are worth visiting[…]
happyruck.com
[…]although internet sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not related to ours, we really feel they’re really really worth a go by means of, so possess a look[…]
Artvin Gazette
[…]Every when in a when we select blogs that we read. Listed beneath would be the most current internet sites that we opt for […]
Gorilla Trekking Safaris Uganda
[…]just beneath, are quite a few completely not associated web pages to ours, however, they’re certainly really worth going over[…]
CableFreeTV
[…]here are some hyperlinks to web pages that we link to because we consider they’re really worth visiting[…]
asus-phoenix-geforce-rtx-3060-12gb-v2-for-sale
[…]Every once inside a although we pick out blogs that we study. Listed below are the most up-to-date websites that we opt for […]
Bitcoin Mining Rig
…
Buy Hynidate 10mg Online
[…]Here is an excellent Weblog You may Find Fascinating that we Encourage You[…]
Rent a car Bar
…
juil pods near me
[…]check beneath, are some completely unrelated internet sites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
buy counterfeit money from korea
[…]just beneath, are numerous entirely not associated internet sites to ours, nonetheless, they are surely really worth going over[…]
happyLuke
…
live resin carridges
[…]just beneath, are quite a few totally not related websites to ours, having said that, they’re surely really worth going over[…]
Alien Kush
[…]the time to read or stop by the content or web sites we have linked to beneath the[…]
Rolex Datejust
…
springfield saint upper
[…]one of our guests not long ago advised the following website[…]
best male stokers
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
how to use pocket strokers
[…]one of our visitors not long ago proposed the following website[…]
sig sauer pistols
[…]here are some links to web-sites that we link to simply because we consider they are really worth visiting[…]
savage grow plus
…
premium guns for sale
[…]just beneath, are many completely not associated web sites to ours, on the other hand, they are surely really worth going over[…]
Kenya safari family holidays
[…]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[…]
news
[…]one of our guests recently suggested the following website[…]
bitcoin
[…]we came across a cool website which you may delight in. Take a look in case you want[…]
dizziness
[…]here are some links to internet sites that we link to mainly because we think they are worth visiting[…]
Redbridge College
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Info here on that Topic: skepticalob.com/2012/03/history-of-hospital-birth.html […]
order pills online discreet
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
investment ideas
[…]below you will locate the link to some web sites that we think you’ll want to visit[…]
Vertise
[…]just beneath, are several completely not associated internet sites to ours, nonetheless, they’re surely really worth going over[…]
elliptical trainer buy
…
scan 3xs 3080 gaming pc
…
Travelmonke Uganda Tours
…
Capuchin Monkey For Sale Near Me
[…]very handful of internet websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[…]
graphics card for sale australia
[…]Here is an excellent Blog You may Obtain Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
exotic cannabis for sale
[…]that would be the finish of this post. Here you will find some web sites that we think you will value, just click the hyperlinks over[…]
costco gaming chairs
…
beretta 1301 for sale
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
buy marijuana online usa
[…]here are some links to internet sites that we link to since we consider they are worth visiting[…]
magic mushrooms
…
buy pentobarbital
[…]that may be the finish of this report. Right here you will obtain some internet sites that we consider you will enjoy, just click the hyperlinks over[…]
stiiizy battery buy
[…]usually posts some very exciting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
mossberg 930 deer waterfowl combo
[…]very couple of sites that take place to become in depth beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[…]
taurus pt92 for sale
[…]Here is an excellent Weblog You might Come across Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
savage 110 ba 308 for sale
[…]just beneath, are a lot of absolutely not associated sites to ours, on the other hand, they’re surely really worth going over[…]
pdx1 12 defender
[…]please stop by the websites we follow, like this one, because it represents our picks through the web[…]
TRIPLE HEX CARTS
[…]very few internet websites that take place to be comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]
Buy Percocet online
[…]we came across a cool site that you simply could possibly get pleasure from. Take a search for those who want[…]
web sajt
Development of websites, mobile applications, portals and online stores
aromatherapy for sleep
[…]one of our visitors just lately recommended the following website[…]
Serengeti safari
[…]Here is a good Blog You may Come across Fascinating that we Encourage You[…]
ارقام بنات
[…]just beneath, are a lot of completely not associated web-sites to ours, nonetheless, they’re certainly worth going over[…]
GUMTREE FARMING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
[…]here are some hyperlinks to internet sites that we link to due to the fact we feel they may be worth visiting[…]
Bwindi gorilla trekking safari
…
Macbook akku service stäfa
[…]that would be the finish of this article. Right here you will discover some web pages that we think you will value, just click the links over[…]
Shipping containers For Sale
[…]here are some hyperlinks to web-sites that we link to mainly because we assume they may be really worth visiting[…]
GOLF CARTS FOR SALE
[…]Here is a good Weblog You might Uncover Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
Buy Guns Online at Sig Sauer
[…]Here is an excellent Weblog You might Locate Exciting that we Encourage You[…]
Site internet WordPress
[…]Here is a great Blog You may Discover Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
THC Vape Oil for sale
[…]Here is a superb Weblog You may Uncover Exciting that we Encourage You[…]
mp3 juice app
[…]The data talked about in the write-up are several of the top readily available […]
download pc games for windows
[…]Every when inside a whilst we choose blogs that we read. Listed beneath are the newest web-sites that we opt for […]
pc games for windows xp
[…]Here are a number of the web-sites we advise for our visitors[…]
games for pc windows download
[…]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but really don’t get a great deal of link really like from[…]
laptop app
[…]Here are a number of the web sites we suggest for our visitors[…]
apps for pc download
[…]below you will discover the link to some web sites that we consider you must visit[…]
free download for windows 7
[…]the time to study or check out the content or websites we have linked to below the[…]
بديل تروكولر
[…]very handful of internet sites that happen to become detailed beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[…]
male sex toy
[…]please pay a visit to the websites we comply with, such as this one particular, as it represents our picks through the web[…]
dildos
[…]The information talked about inside the write-up are several of the most beneficial out there […]
Ravensbury Community School
[…]The details talked about within the write-up are some of the most effective offered […]
BUY MESCALINE
[…]the time to study or take a look at the subject material or websites we have linked to below the[…]
Chihuahua Puppies For Sale
[…]always a large fan of linking to bloggers that I love but really don’t get a great deal of link appreciate from[…]
cockatoo for sale near
[…]we came across a cool website which you could possibly enjoy. Take a search in case you want[…]
Diablo strain
[…]although web sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we really feel they may be actually worth a go by means of, so possess a look[…]
glade
[…]Here are some of the web sites we suggest for our visitors[…]
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they are basically really worth a go by way of, so possess a look[…]
русский для детей онлайн
[…]the time to study or pay a visit to the content material or sites we’ve linked to below the[…]
pmang-no1.com
[…]check below, are some entirely unrelated web-sites to ours, nevertheless, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
토토사이트
[…]Every after inside a when we select blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the most up-to-date internet sites that we choose […]
chs fee structure
[…]very handful of sites that occur to become comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly very well really worth checking out[…]
best in ottawa
[…]below you will uncover the link to some websites that we feel you must visit[…]
best pocket pussy
…
1xbit download
[…]very handful of websites that come about to become comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely really worth checking out[…]
penis ring vibrator
[…]one of our guests recently recommended the following website[…]
interesting facts about sex
[…]Here are several of the internet sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
best male masturbators
[…]the time to read or stop by the subject material or web-sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
ctrlcoin.io
…
french streaming
[…]just beneath, are several totally not connected web-sites to ours, nevertheless, they may be certainly worth going over[…]
film streaming 2021
[…]here are some links to web sites that we link to since we believe they are really worth visiting[…]
car delivery to europe
[…]Every as soon as inside a though we choose blogs that we read. Listed beneath are the most current web-sites that we opt for […]
site de streaming
[…]the time to study or check out the content material or web sites we have linked to beneath the[…]
99defi network – decentralized p2p
[…]the time to read or take a look at the material or web-sites we have linked to below the[…]
kondomsuz escort
[…]very few sites that transpire to be detailed beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly very well worth checking out[…]
THC Cartridge
[…]one of our visitors recently suggested the following website[…]
نيك من الخلف
[…]The data talked about in the article are a few of the ideal out there […]
realistic dong
[…]the time to read or visit the content material or web sites we have linked to beneath the[…]
lifelike dildo
[…]Here is a great Weblog You might Find Exciting that we Encourage You[…]
best male masturbator
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
prostate toys
[…]Here are some of the internet sites we suggest for our visitors[…]
ruay สมัครสมาชิก
[…]although web sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they’re essentially really worth a go by, so possess a look[…]
lottovip
[…]usually posts some extremely fascinating stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
commercial real estate
[…]usually posts some quite intriguing stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
MILF Porn
[…]usually posts some incredibly exciting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
hosting deals
[…]very few sites that happen to become detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly effectively worth checking out[…]
Masturbator Reviews
…
oxygen concentrator Italy
[…]check beneath, are some completely unrelated web-sites to ours, having said that, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
best p spot massager
[…]please take a look at the websites we stick to, which includes this one particular, as it represents our picks from the web[…]
pocket vagina
[…]very handful of internet websites that transpire to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly really worth checking out[…]
best rabbit vibrator
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not connected to ours, we feel they are really worth a go via, so possess a look[…]
best remote control panties
[…]below you will uncover the link to some websites that we assume you’ll want to visit[…]
p spot massagers
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine some unrelated information, nevertheless truly really worth taking a appear, whoa did one particular find out about Mid East has got a lot more problerms also […]
fun88
[…]that will be the end of this article. Here you will uncover some websites that we consider you will appreciate, just click the links over[…]
exotic weed online
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
Food Delivery
[…]the time to study or check out the content material or internet sites we have linked to below the[…]
prostate vibrator
[…]The information talked about in the post are several of the very best out there […]
mersin escort
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
sex ed
[…]Every as soon as inside a when we opt for blogs that we study. Listed below are the most current web-sites that we choose […]
how to use ben wa balls
[…]usually posts some pretty intriguing stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
Magic Mushroom Edibles
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated information, nevertheless genuinely really worth taking a appear, whoa did one discover about Mid East has got far more problerms also […]
ucuz escort
[…]please go to the web pages we stick to, which includes this a single, because it represents our picks from the web[…]
Hospital design build operate
[…]we came across a cool web page that you simply might get pleasure from. Take a search if you want[…]
cleaning male sex toys
[…]Every when inside a while we decide on blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the most up-to-date websites that we select […]
buy sex toys online
[…]although web-sites we backlink to below are considerably not connected to ours, we feel they’re really really worth a go by means of, so possess a look[…]
vibrating wand
[…]The details talked about inside the write-up are a number of the ideal available […]
ทางเข้า happyluke
[…]The data mentioned within the write-up are a number of the top obtainable […]
US News
…
Bolivian Cocaine For Sale
…
pharmacy in canada pharmacy in canada
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine several unrelated information, nonetheless genuinely worth taking a appear, whoa did one particular master about Mid East has got extra problerms at the same time […]
bagcilar escort
[…]although web-sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not connected to ours, we really feel they’re essentially really worth a go as a result of, so possess a look[…]
male sex toys
…
how to use male enhancement
…
venus butterfly remote
[…]Here are some of the web sites we advise for our visitors[…]
fleshlight
[…]Every as soon as inside a when we opt for blogs that we study. Listed below would be the most current internet sites that we decide on […]
SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK
[…]Here is an excellent Blog You may Locate Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
their information
[…]although web sites we backlink to below are considerably not connected to ours, we really feel they may be in fact really worth a go as a result of, so have a look[…]
Pc support meilen
[…]Here are a number of the web pages we advise for our visitors[…]
Heroin For Sale
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are truly worth a go as a result of, so possess a look[…]
self healing
[…]always a massive fan of linking to bloggers that I adore but really don’t get a lot of link like from[…]
canada pharmacy
[…]usually posts some very exciting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
ruger american for sale
…
glo extracts flavors
[…]here are some hyperlinks to websites that we link to for the reason that we consider they are really worth visiting[…]
buy weed online usa
[…]just beneath, are a lot of absolutely not associated websites to ours, on the other hand, they are surely worth going over[…]
Buy weed online USA
[…]The information mentioned within the write-up are some of the very best out there […]
canada pharmacy canada pharmacy
…
معرفة هوية المتصل
[…]usually posts some incredibly interesting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
cucumber juul pods
[…]just beneath, are several totally not connected web sites to ours, nonetheless, they are certainly really worth going over[…]
Discreet arms dealer
[…]always a massive fan of linking to bloggers that I love but do not get lots of link adore from[…]
HBCUC
…
latest technology
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
Find out more
[…]although websites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we really feel they are actually really worth a go as a result of, so possess a look[…]
cvgd
[…]check beneath, are some totally unrelated internet websites to ours, having said that, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
adam and eve sex toys
[…]Every when in a though we decide on blogs that we read. Listed beneath are the most current websites that we choose […]
garden sheds near me
[…]the time to read or take a look at the content material or sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
how to lose lower belly fat
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
where can i buy mullet fish
…
450 bushmaster ammo for sale
[…]The details mentioned within the article are a number of the best offered […]
Squat Rack
…
Buy Vape Carts Online
https://theclearconcerntrate.com/ The Clear classic oil is mixed with CBD isolate and our preparatory flavorings for the best taste and consistency on the market today.
Pallas Cat
…
Household Furniture
[…]one of our guests lately recommended the following website[…]
Sig Romeo 1
[…]always a huge fan of linking to bloggers that I love but really don’t get a whole lot of link really like from[…]
canadapharmacy.com
…
Parksville Roofers
[…]usually posts some really interesting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
sınırsız escort
[…]just beneath, are quite a few absolutely not associated web pages to ours, nonetheless, they’re surely really worth going over[…]
Google
…
Google
Sites of interest we have a link to.
Title…
[…]that may be the end of this write-up. Right here you’ll obtain some sites that we believe you’ll appreciate, just click the hyperlinks over[…]…
Title…
[…]the time to study or take a look at the subject material or sites we’ve linked to below the[…]…
Title…
[…]the time to study or stop by the subject material or web sites we have linked to beneath the[…]…
Title…
[…]usually posts some really intriguing stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[…]…