The fictional ITV drama Downton Abbey, first aired in 2010, offers a glimpse of what obstetric care was like in 1920. In Season 3, a much admired character, Lady Sybil Branson (Crawley), is in early labour at home, attended by Richard Clarkson, a local GP, and Philip Tapsell, a knighted obstetrician. Dr Clarkson diagnoses pre-eclampsia based on ankle oedema, proteinuria, an undersized foetus, and confusion. He insists that Sybil should be taken immediately to hospital for caesarean section. Sir Philip disagrees and recommends home birth. Sybil’s father, Lord Robert Crawley, sides with the esteemed obstetrician.
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