History of Delivery
Early
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1647
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Forceps were developed
Many babies died in the early years of their use
Before 19th century was uneventful – delivery
and life went on as normal with no pain relief
 Mid-19th century
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Women feared childbirth - painful or even fatal
Higher social status, less children you had
1800
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Chloroform was used to relieve women of any pain
Harmful, even fatal, to mother and baby
Mid
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1882
First successful Cesarean delivery
 Death rate remained high until 20th century


1900
Middle class women were confined to bed
rest until well after the baby was born
 Introduction of maternity clothes (Lane
Bryant)
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1920 “Twilight labor”
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1920-Morphine and scopolamine
General anesthesia
 Proved harmful to baby and mother
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Use of stirrups to prevent any tearing or
ripping
1950 and Beyond
1950-Use of drugs in “assisted” childbirth
became popular
 1970-“Natural” childbirth and midwives
became popular
 1980-Back toward hospital births
 1990 and beyond-Both mother and
father take a more active role in
childbirth
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