Overview Of The History Of Neonatology
We have medical writings date back since the 400 BC. From the 400 BC, there have been writings from Hippocrates. Hippocrates was important to the medical history. According to The Greek Islands Specialists from greeka. com, “The most famous physician of the ancient times, Hippocrates was the first to release medicine from any kind of religious superstition and to establish it as a science based on observation and case recording. ” He covered clubfoot, worms, diarrhea, asthma, and etc. Hippocrates believed that every illness had its own rational explanation. Because illnesses did not come out of anywhere. Meaning that something might have caused it or it was from genetics.
Midwives were also a huge part of the history of neonatology. Midwives were recognized first in the bible. According to the Parkland School of Nurse-Midwifery, The History of Midwifery it states, “Biblical recognition of the functions of midwives included several verses recounting the experiences of two Hebrew midwives who refused to kill male infants in defiance of the King of Egypt. ” Each birth was attended by a midwife. Which is a person who has skills to help the mother during the pregnancy months. They are there to attend and help the mother to receive the birth of the newborn. The midwife had knowledge of how the birth of a newborn happens but did not have the knowledge to be able to diagnose any congenital diseases that came with the newborn.
During the 19th century, an in-depth study was made of the delivery, and conception of newborns. Since it is very important to know how the newborn will survive. Including if the baby arrives healthy or with genetic defects. Before the late 19th century, physicians did not really care about newborns. Which is really devastating to hear because each time a baby is born a new generation is born as well. It was obstetricians who were in real charge and interested to investigate the origins and how to care for the newborn. Obstetricians specialize in medicine and surgery that has to do with the newborn. They also care for women that have given birth. Later on, pediatricians slowly started getting interested in the science of the newborn. According to Alistair G. S. Philip from Stanford University School of Medicine, “In the mid-20th century, many pediatricians demonstrated an interest in the newborn; the primary responsibility for these infants passed from the obstetrician to the pediatrician”. Both obstetricians and pediatricians contribute to helping the mother and the newborn baby get the best possible attention they need in order to live a healthy and happy life.
During the 19th century, according to the statistics and studies carried out by physicians, obstetricians, and gynecologists. This group of doctors dedicated themselves to the direct care of the mother and also to the newborn. Since nowadays medicine and technology is so advanced that we can know the size, weight, and sex of the baby.
