„Niech zniknie ciemnota i nieuświadomienie młodych kobiet” – Szkoły Matek i ich działalność na rzecz krzewienia oświaty sanitarnej i higienicznej w latach 50. XX w.

The everyday living conditions of Polish society after the end of World War II were not conducive to maintaining any sanitary standards, and the lack of knowledge about personal and environmental hygiene resulted in high mortality. This was particularly visible among the rural population and workers from the countryside. The socialist authorities made it a point of honor to provide healthcare to all citizens, but also to reach as many young women as possible with information on how to take care of themselves during pregnancy and the postpartum period, what conditions to provide the newborn so that it can develop properly, how to prevent unwanted pregnancies, what symptoms may indicate the occurrence of serious diseases. The task of promoting sanitary education rested with all healthcare workers. In 1950, a propaganda campaign called the School of Mothers was launched, addressed to pregnant women and young mothers. This action was approved by the Ministry of Health and spread very quickly throughout the country. In practice, it consisted of giving talks, lectures, lectures combined with demonstrations and practical exercises. Obstetrics and gynecology departments in hospitals, maternity wards, K clinics and D clinics in district and peripheral clinics, as well as health centers were obliged to conduct it. The aim of this article is to show the circumstances of the creation and experience of the first Mothers’ School, present the types of Mothers’ Schools and the scope of sanitary and hygienic knowledge transferred within them.