This is not an attempt to romanticize “natural” childbirth or a call to return to the “good old days” – because they weren’t so good. Until the last century, babies were born at home with little support, and many tragic complications for moms and babies alike.
Maternal mortality fell precipitously in the 20th century, but only a small portion of those improvements were due to obstetrical interventions.
We have a much higher standard of living (hence healthier mothers), we have contraception and emancipation (so the days of 17 children are mercifully behind us) and, most of all, we have better infection control, including vaccination and antiseptic environments.
The greatest risks to our foremothers were infectious diseases and excessive bleeding. Those are still the biggest risks today. But they are manageable risks.