One hundred years ago, American women averaged six children, not counting miscarriages and stillbirths. Without adequate medical care, new mothers often had complications, making subsequent births more painful and dangerous. In addition, working-class women had no time to rest and recover after giving birth, and were expected to resume domestic chores and employment, along with mothering their newborns and other children. Read more about motherhood a century ago in Tazia and Gemma (see NOVELS).
