Herbert Thoms

Herbert Thoms (1885-1972) was an obstetrician and gynecologist who was an early advocate for natural childbirth and birth control.

In conjunction with Edith Jackson and members of the Department of Pediatrics, he launched a prepared-childbirth center at Grace New Haven Hospital and published scientific studies on its success.

[9] Thoms noted that the method provided "increased safety to mother and child" and also led him to understand that husbands had an important role to play in natural childbirth.

[12] Thoms served as editor of several professional medical journals and was a prolific author of books and articles.

[5] As a teacher, he was influential in bringing to the attention of his students the importance of a humanistic approach to medicine.

[5] He won the Lasker Award in 1953 for his contributions in obstetrics, marriage counseling and treatment for infertility.