“…During the early 1920s, a public health solution was begun to solve the “midwife problem” of the time. As Ladd‐Taylor (: 256–257) reports: In 1915, approximately six women—eleven black women—died for every 1,000 live births in states where statistics were collected: one hundred infants, and 181 black infants, died for every 1,000 live births.…”
Section: The Ama and The Medicalization Of Birthmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…By 1924, 17 states administered classes for midwives (Ladd‐Taylor ). Positioning grand midwives as a necessary evil until the complete medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth could be achieved, Sheppard‐Towner administrators continued to infantilize or demonize these women who provided health services.…”
Section: The Ama and The Medicalization Of Birthmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Midwives were informed of the appropriate use of silver nitrate eye drops for the prevention of gonococcal blindness, but many midwives, such as Perryman, had incorporated these in their practice at the end of the 19 th century (Wilkie ). Instructors also taught midwives to immediately consult physicians in “risky” cases and how to accurately complete birth records (Fraser ; Ladd‐Taylor ). As a result, functional literacy and participation in medical procedures became a condition for midwifery practice, often leading to the elimination of many older grand midwives (Logan and Clark ; Smith and Holmes ).…”
Section: The Ama and The Medicalization Of Birthmentioning
The medicalization of fertility and infertility, pregnancy, abortion, contraception, childbirth, and postpartum care has not always worked in the interests of women. It has had particularly devastating effects on African‐American women. Their fertility has been managed for hundreds of years, first as slaves forced to have children for owners, then as objects to be experimented on without anesthetics, and finally as mothers sterilized without their consent. The relatively high rates of infant and maternal mortality, along with limited access to safe and high‐quality reproductive services, are continuing signs of such devastation. This article discusses the history and consequences of the medicalization of pregnancy, contraception, and abortion in America. Attention is drawn to the ways in which the profession of medicine took control away from midwives, the traditional birth attendants and pregnancy caregivers, and the particular consequences for African‐American women. Ultimately, we posit that greater access to midwifery care could lower infant and maternal mortality rates and improve reproductive services. The reintroduction of spirituality through midwifery would also restore the important role of “wise women” in supporting women, babies, and communities.
“…During the early 1920s, a public health solution was begun to solve the “midwife problem” of the time. As Ladd‐Taylor (: 256–257) reports: In 1915, approximately six women—eleven black women—died for every 1,000 live births in states where statistics were collected: one hundred infants, and 181 black infants, died for every 1,000 live births.…”
Section: The Ama and The Medicalization Of Birthmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…By 1924, 17 states administered classes for midwives (Ladd‐Taylor ). Positioning grand midwives as a necessary evil until the complete medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth could be achieved, Sheppard‐Towner administrators continued to infantilize or demonize these women who provided health services.…”
Section: The Ama and The Medicalization Of Birthmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Midwives were informed of the appropriate use of silver nitrate eye drops for the prevention of gonococcal blindness, but many midwives, such as Perryman, had incorporated these in their practice at the end of the 19 th century (Wilkie ). Instructors also taught midwives to immediately consult physicians in “risky” cases and how to accurately complete birth records (Fraser ; Ladd‐Taylor ). As a result, functional literacy and participation in medical procedures became a condition for midwifery practice, often leading to the elimination of many older grand midwives (Logan and Clark ; Smith and Holmes ).…”
Section: The Ama and The Medicalization Of Birthmentioning
The medicalization of fertility and infertility, pregnancy, abortion, contraception, childbirth, and postpartum care has not always worked in the interests of women. It has had particularly devastating effects on African‐American women. Their fertility has been managed for hundreds of years, first as slaves forced to have children for owners, then as objects to be experimented on without anesthetics, and finally as mothers sterilized without their consent. The relatively high rates of infant and maternal mortality, along with limited access to safe and high‐quality reproductive services, are continuing signs of such devastation. This article discusses the history and consequences of the medicalization of pregnancy, contraception, and abortion in America. Attention is drawn to the ways in which the profession of medicine took control away from midwives, the traditional birth attendants and pregnancy caregivers, and the particular consequences for African‐American women. Ultimately, we posit that greater access to midwifery care could lower infant and maternal mortality rates and improve reproductive services. The reintroduction of spirituality through midwifery would also restore the important role of “wise women” in supporting women, babies, and communities.
“…However, public health reformers dismantled midwifery in impoverished areas of the South, depriving many women of experienced birth attendants. Cultural insensitivity, reliance on the authority of the state, and unquestioned faith in modern medicine among health care reformers contributed to the decline of midwifery and the medicalization of childbirth …”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Cultural insensitivity, reliance on the authority of the state, and unquestioned faith in modern medicine among health care reformers contributed to the decline of midwifery and the medicalization of childbirth. 7 Midwifery remained active in the South, and in Georgia, much longer than in other parts of the country because of racism, economic barriers, and respect for the revered grand midwives. 8 In 1925, laws were enacted that codified regulations for certification of the 9000 grand midwives in Georgia.…”
Oral histories in this study provided insight into the experiences of nurse-midwives in Georgia as they practiced and taught in the 1970s and 1980s. Interprofessional connections and cooperation supported the nurse-midwifery profession, and relationships with peers anchored the nurse-midwives. Mentoring relationships and interprofessional collaboration supported the nurse-midwives as they adapted and evolved to meet the needs of women in Georgia.
Childbearing in the United States has experienced marked changes from colonial times to the present. Today, 99 percent of all US births occur in the hospital, which is in stark contrast to centuries of women birthing in the home. This entry includes a history and current state of childbearing in the United States. Particular attention is paid to midwifery, the medicalization of childbirth, and out‐of‐hospital birth today. Ideologies of patriarchy, technology, and capitalism, and their relationship to childbearing, are discussed.
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