Pain management for women in labor became available in the late 1800s, first in hospitals and later to midwives. A combination of morphine and scopolamine called “twilight sleep,” it relieved pain and induced forgetfulness. Unfortunately, heavily medicated women had trouble pushing, increasing the need for forceps deliveries and C-sections. Babies were born sleepy, had trouble breathing, and often needed resuscitation. Read more about childbirth 100 years ago in Tazia and Gemma (see NOVELS).
