THERAPEUTIC CLASS

The start of life: a history of obstetrics

---

Obstetric intervention originally consisted of extraction of the baby, usually by the breech, to save the mother’s life in obstructed labour. Forceps, introduced in the 17th century, were later refined by men-midwives like William Smellie. In Victorian times, Simpson
championed chloroform anaesthesia, Lister pioneered antisepsis, and caesarean section was introduced. In 1935, however, Britain’s maternal mortality rate was still around 400/100 000. It fell dramatically after antibiotics appeared and is now 11.4. In the 1960s
ultrasound and electronic fetal monitoring became widely used. In 2000 the British caesarean section rate reached 20%. Worldwide, childbirth still causes 600 000 maternal deaths a year.

---

Availability

Detail Information

Series Title

-

Call Number

-

Publisher

: .,

Collation

-

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

-

Classification

NONE

Content Type

LITERATURE

Media Type

-

Carrier Type

-

Edition

-

Subject(s)

Genito-urinary System

Specific Detail Info

Postgrad Med J 2002;78:311–315

Statement of Responsibility

-

Other version/related

File Attachment

Comments

---

You must be logged in to post a comment