title: From innovation to common practice: perinatal nursing pre-1970 to 2005.
abstract: The history of perinatal nursing from before 1970 to the present is characterized by innovations that became common practice in later years. These innovations include fetal monitoring, mother/baby care, and early postpartum discharge. The driving forces behind changes in care within the social context of the times were scientific/medical developments and families' desires for the best possible childbearing experience. With innovations becoming commonplace, nursing practice became more complex. How nurses approach present-day challenges of increasing technology of birth, looming threats of litigation, and providing care under time and economic restraints is continuing to evolve.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. martell@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Louise K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Martell
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000266:history; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000266:history*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000266:history*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000266:history; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000266:history*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000266:history; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000266:history; D011643:Publishing / Q000266:history; D012386:Rooming-in Care / Q000266:history; D012922:Social Change; D014481:United States