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[Obstetrics in Graz. A comparison 1887-1987].
1Geburtshilflich-gynäkologische Universitätsklinik, Graz.
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|December 22, 1989
Summary
Obstetric care dramatically shifted from home births to hospital births over 100 years, significantly reducing maternal and perinatal mortality rates. This historical comparison highlights advancements in modern obstetrics.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Medical History
- Public Health
Context:
- Historical comparison of obstetric practices in Graz, Austria, between 1887 and 1987.
- Significant decline in home births and midwife-assisted deliveries over a century.
- Changes in maternal demographics, including age and parity, over 100 years.
Purpose:
- To compare maternal and perinatal mortality rates between 1887 and 1987.
- To analyze changes in delivery locations and associated risk factors.
- To evaluate demographic shifts in mothers over the past century.
Summary:
- Home births decreased from 85% in 1887 to 0.46% in 1987, with a corresponding drop in maternal mortality from 0.75% to significantly lower rates.
- Perinatal mortality decreased from 11.0% to 1.03%, and intrauterine fetal death rates fell from 6.7% to 0.35%.
- Factors contributing to mortality in 1887 included prematurity and operative deliveries; modern trends show higher stillbirth rates in unwed mothers and younger mothers.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the profound impact of medical advancements and changing obstetric practices on maternal and infant survival.
- Provides historical data for understanding long-term trends in reproductive health outcomes.
- Highlights the success of hospital-based obstetric care in reducing mortality and improving perinatal outcomes.