The Birth of Prenatal Care (Spoiler Alert: There's More to Life than Literal Survival)
Jan 23, 2025
The Surprising History of Prenatal Care
Did you know that prenatal care as we know it today didn’t exist until the mid-1800s? Before then, pregnancy was primarily managed by midwives and community caregivers, with little structured medical intervention.
In fact, anyone could claim to be a doctor—medical training wasn’t even a requirement! Combine this with the lack of transportation and medical infrastructure, and it’s no surprise that prenatal care was largely based on guesswork and home remedies.
The Discovery of Eclampsia and Early Prenatal Testing
One of the first major breakthroughs in maternal health came in 1843, when a European physician identified a connection between blood pressure and eclampsia (a life-threatening condition in pregnancy). Around the same time, advancements in blood and urine testing helped deepen the understanding of pregnancy-related complications.
While we can appreciate the evolution of prenatal care, it’s frustrating that it took countless maternal and infant deaths to spark these discoveries. To put things into perspective, erectile dysfunction was being studied as early as the 8th century BC—but maternal health took centuries longer to gain medical attention.
The Formation of Medical Standards & OB/GYN Specialties
By the mid-1800s, the U.S. began organizing medical care, leading to the formation of the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1847. This helped regulate medical training and establish specialty fields like obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN).
Fast forward to the early 1900s, and doctors started advocating for prenatal care, using X-rays and pulse monitoring to track fetal development. However, it wasn’t until the 1910s that prenatal care truly advanced, thanks to Boston nurses who began home visits to support pregnant individuals and reduce infant mortality rates—40% of which were preventable.
Health Disparities & the Role of Women's Advocacy
Research in the early 20th century exposed stark racial health disparities, showing that Black women experienced significantly higher maternal mortality rates than white women. Women's groups began pushing for birth center funding, leading to expanded access to prenatal resources and the release of books outlining structured prenatal wellness visits (12-14 appointments per pregnancy).
The Shift from Home Births to Medicalized Births
By the mid-1900s, births transitioned from home settings to hospitals, ushering in the era of medicalized birth. The late 20th century saw continued advances, including ultrasounds, HCG pregnancy tests, and fetal heartbeat monitoring.
However, by the 1980s, a new focus emerged—money. Instead of prioritizing maternal health, policymakers shifted attention to cost-saving measures. Studies suggested that reducing prenatal visits from 12-14 to 7-9 wouldn’t significantly impact birth outcomes, leading to a government-backed reduction in prenatal care.
The Missing Piece: Parental Mental Health
While we've made progress in maternal and infant mortality, one glaring gap remains—parental mental health. Historically, prenatal care focused on physical health markers but failed to consider the mental and emotional challenges that come with pregnancy and postpartum life.
Even today, racial disparities persist, and mental health support remains an afterthought. The 2024 Surgeon General’s Report confirmed what many already knew—parents are struggling. We must shift the narrative to ensure that prenatal care includes mental health and holistic well-being.
It’s Time to Expand Prenatal Care
While fewer parents and babies are dying, survival isn’t the only goal—thriving matters, too. It’s time to rethink prenatal care, ensuring that all parents receive the physical, emotional, and mental health support they need.
Supported parents mean supported children. So, let’s ask ourselves: When did we stop prioritizing parents? The truth is, we never truly did—but now, we have the power to change that.
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