THIS study was made in the belief that family living and growth can be healthier if parents understand how mother and baby develop and what they need.
Eleven mothers were visited weekly for two months before and after the birth of their firstborn to discover what guidance they wanted, what was offered, and what additional guidance was needed. The writer secured their cooperation by agreeing to work with them as a consultant, to interpret their point of view to the doctor, to explain medical instructions when permitted, and to teach the normal growth processes of mother and baby.
Ten mothers were registered in the prenatal clinics of the New Haven Hospital; the eleventh had a private physician. They had no recorded problems beyond the needs of healthy pregnancy and they wanted to participate. Eight husbands agreed to take part in the study. The other three were overseas, but their wives reported for them. Backgrounds varied; 20 of the 22 had had college or high school education; all were between 18 and 32. None dropped out, and after the four months all asked for continued guidance.
Cases were too few and the study too brief for statistical evidence. But problems were uncovered which needed to be considered and which have largely been neglected in routine obstetric and pediatric care.
These parents wanted to learn—not in classes, but in the privacy of home—how to care for mother and baby without disrupting their accustomed way of living. All wanted the care and interest of one doctor for mother and one for baby. However, six women and five men preferred to talk with a consultant who was not a doctor, but who was affiliated with their doctors. The doctors seemed too busy for "little things" and "family affairs," and they saw so many doctors that they all seemed strangers. Once they felt sure that the consultant's interest was in themselves rather than in teaching them, they set the pace and pattern in the conference. There was no questionnaire, no probing, no set procedure. If they had any immediate interests or problems: job, move, presents, trips, in-laws, illness—these were discussed before they talked of pregnancy and baby.
The Private Physician??s Obligation to Industry