 In the early 20th century, the focus was on the mother's physical health and the difficulties and disabilities that miscarriage could produce.Other reactions, such as the expense of medical treatments and relief at ending an unwanted pregnancy, were also heard.In the 1940s and 1950s, people were more likely to express relief, not because the miscarriage ended an unwanted or mistimed pregnancy, but because people believed that miscarriages were primarily caused by birth defects, and miscarrying meant that the family would not raise a child with disabilities.