Child Delivery in Medical Institutions in Tokyo before and during World War II

Abstract

Medicalization of childbirth has been discussed as a phenomenon after World War II. In recent years, it was revealed that childbirth in medical institutions was widespread before and during the war in urban areas. However, evidence has been limited. In this study, the author analyzes the number of childbirth in the famous medical institutions assisting child delivery in Tokyo before and during the war. The history books of the medical institutions and the investigation report regarding such institutions were examined. There were many obstetrics and gynecology hospitals or clinics in Tokyo from the mid-1930s to the early 1940s. However, most childbirth in medical institutions occurred in the small portion of medical institutions established for low-income expectant mothers. Thus, childbirth in medical institutions during this period in Tokyo was characterized as intensive.