A lying-in home was a place where a mother could give birth.
In the nineteenth century, a lying-in home was an institution where mothers could give birth with the help of a midwife who did not have formal qualifications. These women sometimes helped single mothers who worked to find care for their babies. Sometimes this involved an informal adoption. In 1901, the Midwifery Nurses Act began to set standards for the training of midwives. From 1918, lying-in homes had to be registered. Their numbers fell as the requirements of midwifery training became more rigorous.
Prepared by: Caroline Evans
Created: 21 October 2011, Last modified: 13 February 2019