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[Development of fetal semiology in North America]
A survey of the emergence of fetal semiology in the 17 editions of the Williams' Textbook of Obstetrics used by North-American medical students since 1900 was carried out. Three periods were identified: 1906-1950: the fetus, seen as a part of its mother, is ignored until birth and is of no interest to the obstetricians. From the fifties', the decrease in maternal mortality and progress in physiology and therapeutics permitted to study the fetus and a greater attention given to the care of the sick newborn. Since 1970, the availability of ultrasonography has contributed in making the fetus the second patient for obstetricians. It is now possible to study its growth, integrity, health, and well-being. Furthermore, the fetus is now accessible to establish a prenatal diagnosis.
A survey of the emergence of fetal semiology in the 17 editions of the Williams' Textbook of Obstetrics used by North-American medical students since 1900 was carried out. Three periods were identified: 1906-1950: the fetus, seen as a part of its mother, is ignored until birth and is of no interest to the obstetricians. From the fifties', the decrease in maternal mortality and progress in physiology and therapeutics permitted to study the fetus and a greater attention given to the care of the sick newborn. Since 1970, the availability of ultrasonography has contributed in making the fetus the second patient for obstetricians. It is now possible to study its growth, integrity, health, and well-being. Furthermore, the fetus is now accessible to establish a prenatal diagnosis.