An Obstetric Audit

The Problem of Maternity—A Survey and Forecast

“…The Children's Bureau, established in 1912, took leadership in the movement, but with limited funds and no administrative authority accomplished relatively little in its early years beyond the publication of several studies and the distribution of minimum standards. It was not until the passage of the Sheppard-Towner Act in November, 1921, that an effective na- 4 years alone more than 4,000,000 infants and preschool children, and about 700,000 expectant mothers were reached by some form of maternity and infancy work. It was thus primarily through federal activity that nation-wide interest was aroused in the welfare of mothers and babies, that large numbers of women received instruction in maternal and child hygiene, that public health nurses were appointed in large numbers to render services in the homes of pregnant women, and that steps were taken to reduce the menace of the inefficient and unclean midwife through registration, supervision, and instruction.…”