Those were the days…..

In 1970 the time you were talking about there were 22 child deaths per 1000 births, in 2020 there were 4 per 1000, it might be better to ask what we are doing right.

Galaxy I am not talking about 1970, I was born in 1963.

Yes but your youngest child was born 27 years ago so even if you look at child mortality in the 80s we are doing much better now.

I know what you mean. I remember my GP coming to the house when I was home from hospital after both my children were born. It was very reassuring. Throughout both pregnancies I had so many appointments to check on me and the babies. How different it is now as my daughter had only 2 midwife appointments throughout her last pregnancy. I went with her to one of them and the midwife asked a few questions but my daughter said that was only because I was there! I think a shortage of medical staff in all areas leads to many problems.

Sago
I'm a similar age to you btw.

Galaxy 27 years ago was 1994!

In 1985 I only had postnatal visits from the midwife. The village GP who did all my antenatal care failed to spot that the size of my pelvis wouldn’t allow a normal delivery, hence a very long and fruitless labour before an emergency caesarean. So I don’t look back fondly on maternity care then.

You are right I am doing something else at the same time! but the point is true for the 70s 80s and 90 s infant mortality and stillbirth has declined steadily. In fact it looks like stillbirth for example remained pretty steady from the 90s to 2005 and then started to decrease.

When I went to our local nursing home in 1978 for my first antenatal appointment, I was transferred to the hospital as I was an older petite mother (28) with small feet which might indicate a small pelvis. Scans were not routinely done in those days although I was X-rayed at seven months as the obstetrician wrongly thought I was having twins!

I had exactly the same experience as Germanshepherdmum! My daughter weighed 10lbs 1oz and had to be in an incubator for five days. Several friends thought I looked big for the due date but the experts didn't seem to notice.

The thread is not so much about maternity care but how the times have changed so much, imagine calling the local Police station ( there are so few left ) to ask for the patrol to keep an eye on your home.

How many GP’s would do a home visit and sit enjoying a coffee in the sunshine?

My GP dad used to visit his older patients without being called to. He just liked to keep an eye on people who thought might be vulnerable or who he was worried about. He had what he called his 'top ten'.

I remember one Saturday afternoon when I was pregnant I began to panic at some odd symptoms. My doctor came round, examined me in the bed room and reassured me all was fine. Now they don't even answer the phone.

Also , another time when I had post natal depression,another doctor kept me talking in his surgery for nearly an hour and sent his other patients to his partners.

Maybe because since 1980 the UK population has increased from 56 million to 67 million without a corresponding increase in support services.

The good old days when we “never had it so good”! Were they really better times or do we remember them with rose tinted glasses because we were young?

Good point Jaxjacky.
We didn't have the equipment and medical treatments back then that we have now but, equally, we no longer have the staff time available to us. Sometimes there's no substitute for someone to listen to us and take us seriously.

I remember 1971 after a birth with stitches my doctor brought to my home a very comfy round cushion.
When I had a severe headache he came 3 days in a row.
Times have indeed changed.
I know that we have made progress in treatment but the feeling of care isn't the same. Doctors knew you personally then.

Jaxjacky

Maybe because since 1980 the UK population has increased from 56 million to 67 million without a corresponding increase in support services.

Exactly!

We happen to be rather short of GPs at the moment.

I had my children in 1979 & 1981. On neither occasion was I visited by my GP. Just the routine follow up visits from the district midwives and health visitors.

It seems to be a bit mad looking back nostalgically at a world that we ourselves have destroyed through our political choices.

Sago

Galaxy I am not talking about 1970, I was born in 1963.

It's difficult to know when you are talking about. You start by saying When I had my youngest child 27 years ago, ... that was in 1994.

I must say that about that time my doctor came and spent time talking to me about some very difficult health issues but I really wouldn't have expect a doctor to call after a birth unless there was a problem.

When, exactly, are you talking about?

Just as an aside, I do wonder if we should have a grumbler's thread

nadateturbe

I remember 1971 after a birth with stitches my doctor brought to my home a very comfy round cushion.
When I had a severe headache he came 3 days in a row.
Times have indeed changed.
I know that we have made progress in treatment but the feeling of care isn't the same. Doctors knew you personally then.

I imagine that those who look back so nostalgically would be the first to complain if taxes went up to pay for a GP sitting around and having cups of tea.

I imagine you could get that sort of service privately if you were prepared to pay.

When I has DD1 in 1975 my gp turned up at the hospital at the first feeding time to help me start breast feeding as I hadn't done too well with my first 2.

I would be interested to hear from midwives actually, there will be many reasons for the decrease in infant mortality but I am wondering if the specialism of midwives rather than GPs has in some way contributed to the improvement.