It’s hard to imagine what women’s healthcare looked like 100 years ago. While there is still plenty of work to do, the progress made over the past century has brought transformative improvements in safety, autonomy, and innovation to women’s health, including major shifts in maternal mortality, cancer screening, birth control, safer surgical techniques, and more. In this blog, we are exploring these changes and how women’s healthcare has evolved over the last 100 years.
Maternal Mortality
In the early 1900s, childbirth was one of the leading causes of death for women. There was limited access to prenatal care, a poor understanding of infection prevention, and no antibiotics. Additionally, there was a lack of blood transfusions or emergency surgical capability, and many deliveries occurred without trained medical providers.
Now, we have seen a dramatic decline in maternal mortality, likely due to the availability of antibiotics, safe cesarean delivery, blood banking, improved anesthesia, and standardized prenatal care. During this care, routine prenatal screening uses monitoring tools, like ultrasounds, fetal heart monitoring, and genetic testing, to help identify high-risk pregnancies earlier, allowing providers and parents to create safer birth plans. NICU advancements have also dramatically improved outcomes for premature babies.
While these improvements are incredible, it is important to acknowledge that disparities still exist, particularly for women of color. At Essex County OB/GYN, we are dedicated to addressing these disparities and connecting mothers with the resources and support they need and deserve to have a safe, healthy, and empowering experience through pregnancy.
Advances in Screening
One of the most significant breakthroughs in women’s healthcare was the introduction of the Pap test in the 1940s. Before Pap screening was available, cervical cancer was a leading cause of cancer death in women. Now, routine Pap testing allows providers to detect abnormal cells before they become cancerous, and as a result, cervical cancer mortality has dramatically declined.
Once it was discovered that HPV causes most cervical cancers, co-testing with HPV began to help improve early detection. With further advances, the HPV vaccine was introduced and now prevents many high-risk, cancer-causing strains. Updated screening guidelines allow for less frequent but more precise testing.
Beyond cervical cancer, advances in mammography, genetic testing (such as BRCA and hereditary cancer screening), and risk-based cancer assessment allow for earlier detection and more personalized care than ever before.
The Evolution of Birth Control and Reproductive Autonomy
In the early 20th century, contraception options were limited and often unsafe, and birth control access was restricted or illegal in many places. Family size was often determined by circumstance rather than choice.
The birth control pill was then introduced in the 1960s, creating a pivotal moment in reproductive healthcare. For the first time, many women had reliable autonomy over pregnancy timing, reshaping maternal health, education, career, and family planning.
Reproductive autonomy has become central to women’s health, and access to safe, effective birth control has played a major role in that progress. Today, there are quite a few birth control options to choose from, including:
- IUDs (hormonal and non-hormonal)
- Implants
- Low-dose hormonal pills
- Emergency contraception
- Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
Modern contraception goes beyond pregnancy prevention, also playing a role in managing conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, heavy menstrual bleeding, and acne.
Safer Surgical Techniques
Back then, gynecological surgery required large abdominal incisions, lengthy hospital stays, higher infection risk, and extended recovery periods. Now, with minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS), procedures like endometriosis excision, fibroid removal, hysterectomy, and ovarian cyst removal are completed with laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery. MIGS requires smaller incisions, less blood loss, shorter recovery time, and lower complication rates, with more precision than traditional methods. This allows patients to return to normal life faster, reduces scarring, and even improves fertility preservation in certain cases.
A Shift Toward Whole-Person and Patient-Centered Care
Perhaps one of the most meaningful changes in women’s healthcare over the last century is the shift toward listening and supporting the whole person across every stage of life. Modern care emphasizes:
- Shared decision-making
- Trauma-informed practices
- Mental health as part of reproductive care
- Gender-affirming and inclusive services
- Personalized treatment plans
Technology has also improved communication and accessibility through patient portals, telehealth, and digital health tracking.
Thanks to the progress made over the last 100 years, women are living longer, healthier lives. At Essex County OB/GYN, we are proud to be part of this continued evolution in women’s healthcare. We remain committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care that reflects both the scientific advancements of today and the needs of every patient we serve. Progress in women’s healthcare continues, and we’re honored to walk alongside you every step of the way. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment.