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Emily Baughan researches the history of childcare at the University of Sheffield

How have the first hours and days after childbirth changed in the NHS?
Before the NHS, a 1932 publication describing mothers resting after labour, referred to lying-in as ranging from two weeks to two months, but attitudes have altered.
In 1950 a book National Baby, was published by Sarah Campion. Emily Baughan has been reading that and looks at the differences between childbirth then, memories of her mother and her own experiences.

Dr Emily Baughan is a New Generation Thinker on the scheme run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the 大象传媒 to put academic research on radio.
She is a Senior Lecture in 19th and 20th century British History at the University of Sheffield, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and is working on a book Love鈥檚 Labour which is a history of childcare.

Producer in Salford: Ekene Akalawu

Release date:

14 minutes

Broadcast

  • Thu 27 Mar 2025 21:45

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