Midwives were being eradicated in the northern states since the early 1900’s, especially in New York, Boston and other large metropolitan cities. It’s just took a little longer for doctors in the south to care enough to feel their power was threatened by midwives. The medicalization of obstetrics and moving birth into hospitals was a sad day for pregnant women. Infection rates went up because the midwives were actually cleaner, I.e. handwashing before and after examining women, infants and in between patients. Retired RN - certified in obstetrics with 30 years experience.
