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Imagining to Imaging
In 1958 Ian Donald and Tom Brown let out a paper with details and how the ultrasound works in depth. Using a technique where the device was placed up against the skin. These two led to the beginning of using ultrasounds in obstetrics. Their equipment was the first to be mass produced. This caused a huge surge forward regarding being able to detect information about a fetus in utero. Before this women were left guessing about their baby's sex, development or if they may have other conditions. -
Rabbits?
Before the early 1970's pregnancy tests were not an easy to come by. Back in the 1930's doctors would inject rabbits with women's urine and if there were changes to the rabbits ovaries then the woman's was pregnant. This test was complicated and expensive so many women relied on symptoms instead. In the 70's technology was developed to detect hCG. This is the pregnancy hormone. This made detecting pregnancy easier. In 1977 at home tests were distributed to markets making it easier to come by. -
They're Early!
In the 1990's the first synthetic surfactants were created. Before this many babies who were born premature would develop Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). The lung fully develop at the end of the pregnancy. So newborns that came early didn't have strong enough lungs to survive. The surfactants when given to the premature newborns prevented RDS and allowed the lungs do develop. With this new technology the mortality rate for RDS has dropped form 90 percent to 5 percent in todays world.
