Maternity Care Comparisons; 1900, 1950 and 2024
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I’m amazed (and slightly worried) about how well our phones seem to know us. Recently, my social media feeds have been filled with pregnancy, birth, and grandparenting tips, thanks to a few related searches I've made as an excited nannie-in-waiting 😊. I do wish I knew the secret of directing the algorithm 'magic' towards promoting my photography work however, this daily pregnancy and maternity based content has inspired my next blog topic!

As a maternity photographer with 17 years of experience, I have been very interested to learn through chats with clients and, more recently, my own daughter, the changes in ante-natal care that have happened since my own last pregnancy in 2003. For example, something as commonplace as a breath test to detect carbon monoxide wasn't offered when I was expecting! I thought it would be interesting to dig a little deeper and write a blog briefly comparing the changes in UK ante-natal care during the years 1900, 1950, and today. Here’s what I uncovered through my research (please note: I’m not medically trained or a history expert, so feel free to correct any errors you think I've made or better still, add any significant information you're aware of!)"

Antenatal Care in 1900

• Wealthy Women: Had access to trained medical professionals, including private doctors and obstetricians. They enjoyed better living conditions, more nutritious food, and cleaner environments, which of course was beneficial to both their health and the health of their pregnancies. Richer women also had better access to education about pregnancy.
• Poor Women: Relied on traditional midwives with little formal training and could only afford medical help in emergency situations. Overcrowded living conditions and poor sanitation increased health risks. Poor pregnant women often continued working in demanding and hazardous jobs due to a lack of employee rights and maternity leave as their income was vital to support the family.
• Learning About Childbirth: Information about childbirth was often passed down through family and community members, and wealthy women might have access to books on the subject.
• Superstitions and Folk Remedies:
  • Gender Prediction: A popular superstition was that the shape and position of the belly could predict the baby's gender.
  • Herbal Remedies: Common home remedies included drinking raspberry leaf tea to strengthen the uterus.
  • Avoiding Certain Foods: Pregnant women were advised to avoid foods believed to cause harm, such as cold foods, which were thought to ‘chill the womb’.
• Miscarriage Statistics: In 1900, miscarriages were not well-documented, but estimates suggest that up to 30% of pregnancies ended in miscarriage. The lack of medical intervention and poor living conditions contributed to high miscarriage rates, especially among poorer women.
• Maternal Death Statistics: Maternal mortality rates were alarmingly high, with an estimated 400-500 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Poor medical knowledge, lack of proper care, and unhygienic conditions were major contributing factors.

Antenatal Care in 1950

• Introduction of the NHS - When the National Health Service went live in 1948, healthcare in general became more accessible and affordable. With regard to antenatal care, regular check-ups including blood pressure monitoring, urine tests, and weight checks were introduced and Midwives and GPs began to play key roles.
• Inconsistencies: Urban areas had better access to medical facilities compared to rural areas. The focus was on the physical health of the mother and detecting complications. Education about childbirth and baby care wasn't comprehensive but beginning to improve.
• Learning About Childbirth: Women learned about childbirth through medical professionals, local health clinics, and literature provided during antenatal visits. Some childbirth preparation classes were also available.
• Superstitions and Folk Remedies:
  • Cravings Indicating Gender: It was believed that sweet food cravings indicated a girl, while salty food cravings meant a boy.
  • Wearing Safety Pins: Some people believed that wearing safety pins on their clothes would protect the baby from harm.
  • Rest and Relaxation: Mums to be were often advised to take plenty of rest to avoid premature labour.
• Miscarriage Statistics: By the 1950s with better medical care and monitoring, the miscarriage rate had decreased but was still relatively high, (around15-20%). Advances in antenatal care and the introduction of antibiotics helped improve outcomes.
• Maternal Death Statistics: Maternal mortality rates had decreased considerably to about 70-90 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, thanks to better medical practices, the availability of antibiotics, and improved healthcare access.

Antenatal Care in 2024

• Comprehensive and Personalised Care: The NHS provides scheduled appointments with midwives, GPs, and obstetricians. Routine checks include blood pressure, urine and blood tests, and ultrasound scans. Care plans are personalised to address specific needs and potential risks.
• Education and Support: Pregnant women have access to a wide range of resources, including antenatal classes, breastfeeding, and newborn care. The digital era we live in allows access to digital health tools, such as pregnancy tracking and easier communication with healthcare providers. There is a stronger focus these days on mental health, with screenings for antenatal depression and anxiety and appropriate support services.
• Learning About Childbirth: Women today learn about childbirth through a combination of antenatal classes, online resources, mobile apps, and consultations with healthcare professionals.
• Superstitions and Folk Remedies:
  • Gender Prediction: The old wives’ tale about belly shape and bump position predicting the baby’s gender still persist.
  • Spicy Food for Induction: Some believe that eating spicy food can help start labour (as well as castor oil or bedtime activities!).
  • Herbal Teas: Many still use herbal teas, like raspberry leaf tea (I did!), to prepare the body for birth, and some of this has now been backed by some scientific support.
  • Coconut Oil: Used for preventing stretch marks, although evidence on its effectiveness is mixed.
  • Positivity: It is often said that a positive mindset and stress reduction can contribute to a healthier pregnancy and easier birth.
• Miscarriage Statistics: In 2024, the estimated miscarriage rate is around 10-15%. Improved medical technology, early detection of issues and comprehensive antenatal care contributes to better pregnancy outcomes and lower miscarriage rates.
• Maternal Death Statistics: Maternal mortality rates are at an all-time low, with approximately 8-10 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. This improvement is due to advances in medical care, antenatal monitoring, and effective healthcare policies.

Antenatal care in the UK has changed considerably since1900 thanks to advancements in medical knowledge and access to healthcare. Today’s comprehensive and personalised care ensures healthier pregnancies and safer births which highlights the progress made over the past century.

Incidentally, professional maternity photography started gaining popularity in the UK around the early to mid-2000s. It seems to me that this rise in popularity is inter-linked with the trend of documenting our life milestones through digital photography and later, social media. I never had any professional maternity photos taken myself, something I regret now, but digital photography has certainly made it easier for families to record this special time.

On a final note, I do hope the next government (election day is around the corner!), whoever that may be, decides that extra funding needs to go into womens' health care in general, including maternity care. In regard to pregnancy, there are still disparities to this day in access to maternity care services, particularly in rural areas, and with issues such as midwifery shortages and stretched healthcare resources, there is no doubt that increased funding could help alleviate pressure and improve the quality of care for all women.

If you've made it this far then thanks for your interest; if you would be interested in my maternity or newborn photography please get in touch!

Lorraine.