Is poor maternity care responsible for today's problems?

I think there is a lot more advice around now.

My sister in law had her baby at home and continued smoking during labour until the Midwife arrived!

Ilovecheese

What makes you think that the rules have been relaxed?

They have never been relaxed in fact there are more rules than when the GN generation were pregnant.
The OP reads more like a click bait to bash young people.

Where on earth did you get the idea that recommendations are more relaxed? Please quote your sources and provide a link if possible.

When I was having my DCs I was advised that the odd cigarette or glass of wine was OK and it was OK to take painkillers. Now smoking is banned for everyone and alcohol is totally banned in pregnancy now. All drugs are to be avoided if at all possible. There are now and always have been a tiny minority of stupid women who ignore this advice.

What I do think is leading to more problems with child birth is the deterioration in peri-natal and maternity care owing to a shortage of staff.

Indeed: I remember very few restrictions suggested in my first pregnancy, in the 70s.
We were encouraged to eat liver, for iron. Liver is on the banned list for mums to be now.

I think young mums today are far more aware than in my day. I used to see women lighting up cigarettes as soon as their antenatal check was finished. Some also carried on drinking alcohol throughout the pregnancy.
Education is better now so young women know more about the effects of smoking and drinking on the unborn child.

These rules are still in place , whether some people follow them is another thing, but I would say it is in the minority. Advise is also given on diet and no soft cheese and pate, cured meats , shellfish, limited amount of tuna, which I know I ate during my pregnancy in the '80s
Do you mean the health of the mother or the child?

GrannyGravy13

Being pregnant now is a veritable minefield.

Pregnant women have to avoid far more than smoking and alcohol.

Trying to put mental health issues onto mothers is not very helpful.

How about the knock on effects of Covid, not being able to get a job, the continuous drip of perfect lives portrayed on social media sites etc.

Hear hear!

Strange post, OP

The rules are very strict and far more foods and drinks are prohibited.
Many children survive now who would not have survived when 'we' were mothers.

Being pregnant now is a veritable minefield.

Pregnant women have to avoid far more than smoking and alcohol.

Trying to put mental health issues onto mothers is not very helpful.

How about the knock on effects of Covid, not being able to get a job, the continuous drip of perfect lives portrayed on social media sites etc.

The young mums of today if anything are more cautious, not less.

When were these 'rules' relaxed? If anything, I would say pregnant women are advised to avoid a lot more things now.

What makes you think that the rules have been relaxed?