History Of Midiwfery in US

education from Europe and some were educated in this country. There was great variation in training and skill of individual

midwives. Standards of care were varied and many attended births outside of what was considered a midwife's scope

of practice. Even with concerns with regard to clean technique and training, studies showed that "however bad the midwife,

on the whole, a patient was better off in her hands than in the care of many of the physicians who compete with her" (Rooks p.27)

Data in 1912, showed that more cases of opthalmia neonatorum and puerperal septicemia could be traced to physicians

The Children's Bureau studied maternity care in rural areas, including the practices of rural, granny midwives.

A study in rural Mississippi, between 1916-1918, found most midwives were black and 90% could not read .Many were

found to lack the basic knowledge deemed necessary for competent care. However these studies also showed that most

of the midwives were eager to learn . Some government supported midwifery training programs were developed.

During the 1920's the federal government enacte

and benefits of obstetrical interventions.

to effectively meeting individual health care needs and has put pressure on practitioners to "mass

In addition Children's Bureau MCH grants were used to help the Indian Health Service develop its first nurse-midwifery

attending homebirths. In addition, several new organizations were started to support and promote this option, (NAPSAC,

Social change movements in the 1960's And 70's engendered a change in consciousness surrounding issues

Some topics in this essay:
Statement Homebirth, Children's Bureau, Protection Act, South Dakota, Center Association, Nursing Service, Childbirth Home, , Health Service, Leche League, public health, maternal mortality, pregnant women, children's bureau, midwifery care, frontier nursing service, education programs, child health, maternity care, health nurses, prenatal care, public health nurses, infant mortality rate, maternity center association, maternity institute started,