Mothers, Midwives, and Reproductive Labor in Interwar and Wartime Britain

During interwar and wartime Britain, mothers, midwives, and reproductive laborers faced conflicting ideals of the state and government prioritization of economic crises and war preparation over safe childbirth. Pregnant women and those with small children were evacuated from cities, but the reception areas were less well planned, leading to pregnant women returning to their homes rather than delivering among strangers. Reproductive laborers demonstrated agency by delivering at home with untrained or trained birth attendants, entering and leaving the profession on their own terms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Introduction:

Mothers, midwives, and reproductive labor in interwar and wartime Britain is a fascinating exploration of the experiences of mothers and midwives as they navigated the changing political and social issues surrounding childbirth and motherhood during this period. The needs and agency of women as mothers and midwives often conflicted with the ideals of the state, creating a complex and often challenging landscape for those involved in the reproductive healthcare system.

The Needs and Agency of Women as Mothers and Midwives:

Women's needs and agency as mothers and midwives were crucial in shaping the interwar and wartime healthcare system. However, their needs and desires were often overshadowed by the priorities of the state. While government officials recognized the importance of safe childbirth to the nation, they also chose to prioritize economic crises and war preparation. This led to a lack of investment in maternal healthcare, inadequate staffing, and limited access to resources.

The interwar plans for a national maternal healthcare system faced financial constraints and a lack of political will. Despite the efforts of campaigners and healthcare professionals, the system was not fully implemented, leaving many women without access to the care they needed. As the outbreak of the Second World War appeared imminent, politicians began to plan for pregnant women and those with small children to evacuate from cities. However, the reception areas were less well planned, and pregnant women returned to their homes rather than deliver among strangers.

Wartime maternity provision did not take into account the needs and desires of mothers and midwives. Reproductive laborers, including mothers and midwives, demonstrated agency throughout the period. Pregnant women chose to deliver at home with untrained or trained birth attendants, depending on their circumstances and preferences. Midwives entered and left the profession on their own terms, offering or withholding their skills when it suited individual need, rather than at the behest of government.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Mothers, midwives, and reproductive labor in interwar and wartime Britain provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the experiences of mothers and midwives as they navigated the changing political and social issues surrounding childbirth and motherhood. The needs and agency of women as mothers and midwives were crucial in shaping the healthcare system, but their needs were often overshadowed by the priorities of the state. The interwar plans for a national maternal healthcare system faced financial constraints and a lack of political will, leading to inadequate staffing and limited access to resources. Wartime maternity provision did not take into account the needs and desires of mothers and midwives, leading to a lack of agency and control over their own reproductive healthcare.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 236 x 157 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793608260