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Driving through: postpartum care during World War II
1Nurse-Midwifery Center, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29403, USA.
American Journal of Public Health
|April 7, 1999
Summary
Public outcry over short postpartum hospital stays is not new. The World War II era saw similar trends, leading to community-based support for new mothers.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Public Health Policy
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- The 1996 federal law banning "drive-through deliveries" followed public concern over abbreviated postpartum hospital stays.
- Hospital birth rates increased during World War II due to the Emergency Maternal and Infant Care program, which subsidized obstetric care.
Observation:
- Pre-war postpartum care involved prolonged bed rest, but hospital overcrowding during WWII necessitated early discharge (within 24 hours).
- This led to the development of community-based services like visiting nursing, postnatal homes, and prenatal classes to support postpartum women.
Findings:
- Despite short inpatient durations, comprehensive postpartum care was maintained during WWII.
- Maternal-child health was framed as crucial for military morale, influencing the quality of care provided.
Implications:
- The WWII experience provides a historical model for ensuring adequate postpartum care without relying solely on legislation.
- This historical perspective suggests that community-based and supportive services can effectively supplement short hospital stays for new mothers.