Lives Lost: Maternal and Infant Mortality in Australia’s Past

Recent discussions in the Convict Ancestry Australia and Australian Ancestors - Family History Research Group Facebook groups revealed the heartbreaking reality of high infant mortality and maternal deaths in childbirth faced by our ancestors. These conversations highlighted the personal and emotional impact of such losses on families. A recent article from ABC News, The Story of Us provided further insight into the broader demographic trends in Australia, showing how maternal and child health have transformed over time. This post explores the figures behind those trends and the profound social consequences they carried.

A Grim Reality: Mortality Trends in Maternal and Infant Health

In the 1850s, both maternal and infant mortality were widespread and devastating. It is estimated that maternal mortality stood at around 640 deaths per 100,000 live births during this period, a figure that gradually declined to under 6 deaths per 100,000 in 2021. For infants, survival was far from guaranteed. In 1860, nearly 40% of children died before their fifth birthday, with 391 deaths per 1,000 live births. Fast forward to 2022, and infant mortality had fallen to just 3.2 per 1,000 live births, highlighting the extraordinary progress made in healthcare and living conditions.

Figure 1: Trends in Maternal and Infant Mortality in Australia, 1850–2022. Data compiled from historical estimates and modern statistics (ABC News, 2024; MJA, 2014; Statista, 2024).

Accuracy and Limitations: Understanding the Data

While these figures provide a powerful sense of the improvements in health outcomes over time, it is important to acknowledge the limitations and inaccuracy of the early data. In the 19th century, record-keeping was inconsistent, particularly in rural areas where deaths often went unreported or inaccurately documented. The estimates for maternal and infant mortality in the 1850s, while shocking, likely underrepresent the true scale of loss.

Additionally, before 1850, it is reasonable to speculate that mortality rates were even higher. The lack of medical interventions, poor sanitation, and the absence of organized healthcare meant that childbirth was one of the most dangerous events in a woman’s life, and infant survival depended heavily on luck and circumstance. While we now enjoy the benefits of modern healthcare, it’s crucial to understand that the early figures, although incomplete, tell a story of incredible hardship and loss for countless families.

Factors Behind the Decline in Mortality

The marked decline in maternal and infant mortality rates over time can be attributed to several key factors. First, advancements in medical knowledge and technology, such as antiseptics, antibiotics, and surgical interventions, drastically reduced the risks associated with childbirth and infant care. Second, public health and sanitation improvements, including access to clean water, better hygiene practices, and widespread vaccination programs, curbed the spread of infectious diseases that had claimed so many lives. Finally, the expansion of maternal and child healthcare, with prenatal monitoring and trained midwives, meant that mothers and babies received better care, dramatically increasing their chances of survival.

The Emotional and Social Toll on Families

Behind these figures lies a much deeper, more personal story: the immense emotional and psychological toll on families who lived with the constant threat of death during childbirth and infancy. For mothers, pregnancy was often accompanied by fear and uncertainty. Many women went into labor knowing that they might not survive the experience. The loss of a mother, especially in a time when communities were more isolated and social support was scarce, had a devastating effect on families. Without the mother as the primary caregiver, families were left vulnerable, with many children needing to be raised by relatives or in some cases, orphaned entirely.

The death of an infant was equally shattering. Many parents in colonial Australia and early 20th century societies lost multiple children before they reached adulthood, and this pattern was heartbreakingly common. The repeated loss of babies took a significant psychological toll, likely leaving parents in a state of constant grief and emotional exhaustion. For these families, each death meant not only the loss of a beloved child but also the loss of future hopes and a piece of their legacy. Communities as a whole carried the burden of these deaths, as infant and maternal mortality were all too common in day-to-day life, shaping the collective emotional landscape of the time.

A Legacy of Loss and Survival

As we reflect on these statistics and the often lost stories behind them. The rates of maternal and infant mortality in the past may be difficult to fully comprehend, but they shaped the lives and emotional worlds of our ancestors. Understanding these figures allows us to honour their experiences and appreciate the progress made in modern healthcare, which has saved countless lives and relieved future generations from much of the suffering endured in the past.

The journey from a world of precarious survival to one of relative safety in childbirth and infancy is a testament to human progress. As family historians, we preserve the names and stories of those who came before us to infor our understanding of the past.