Midwifery

Birth: the midwife, the obstetric forceps kept secret by one family for a century, the lying-in hospital, and the puerperal fever that made those hospitals more dangerous than the street.

Part of Medicine

79 moments in this segment.

  1. - Lurestan Fibula. Luristan bronze, disk pin showing a woman giving birth between 2 antelopes, ornamented with flowers, Iranian iron age (1000 to 650 BCE) at the Louvre museum, Paris, France, March 2010. The name “canonical bronze of Luristan” refers to a set of objects testifying of the original culture of a nomadic civilization who lived at the beginning of the iron age on the territory of the actual Iranian. Dated 650 BC, credited to dynamosquito from France. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments.
  2. - Examination of nursing mother's breast, 13th Century. The image records examination of nursing mother's breast. Below: medicine draught. Dated 1250 in the Commons record. Obstetric illustration was often the only way a practitioner could study a birth they would not be permitted to attend.
  3. - (Three midwives attending to a pregnant woman). Author(s): Rueff, Jakob, ca.1500-1558, Author Publication: Zürych: Christoffel Froschover, 1554 Format: Still image Subject(s): Obstetrics Genre(s): Book illustrations Abstract: A pregnant woman sitting in a birthing chair is being attended to by three midwives, one ready to receive the baby, the second standing behind the chair, and the third standing at the woman's side comforting her.. Dated 1500, credited to National Library of Medicine - History of Medicine. The birthing chair kept the mother upright and let gravity assist, the standard position until childbirth moved onto a bed for the convenience of the attendant.
  4. - Rösslin De partu hominis foetuses. Pages from Eucharius Rösslin: De partu hominis, c. Dated 1532, credited to Eucharius Rösslin. The move of childbirth from home to hospital changed who held authority in the room.
  5. - Orazio Samacchini, Nascita di Giovanni Battista 1552-77. The image records orazio Samacchini, Nascita di Giovanni Battista 1552-77, collegiata di Santa Maria Maggiore (Pieve di Cento). Dated 1552, credited to Mongolo1984. Instruments entered the birth room as both a rescue and a claim to professional standing.
  6. - W. H. Ryff, Schwangerer Frawen..., 1569; foetuses. The image records w. H. Ryff, Schwangerer Frawen..., 1569: foetuses. Dated 1569 in the Commons record. Licensing of midwives ran through church and municipal authorities long before medical ones.
  7. - Lying in room with attendant, child and midwife, 1616. Lying in room showing attendant, child being bathed and a midwife drinking her beer. Dated 1616 in the Commons record. Manuals were written for practitioners who could read, which is not the same population as those attending births.
  8. - Chair, German, 17th century. The image records chair, German, 17th century Wellcome Images. Dated 1650 in the Commons record. Maternal mortality was the measure that eventually forced reform of birth attendance.
  9. - J.Douglas, A short account of the state. DOUGLAS, John {ca.1680-1743} J. Douglas, A short account of the state of midwifery in London, Westminster, etc. Dated 1680 in the Commons record. Lying-in hospitals concentrated births and, before antisepsis, concentrated infection.
  10. - Des getreuen Eckarths unvorsichtige Heb-Amme Frontispiz. Johann Christoph von Ettner:_"Des getreuen Eckarths unvorsichtige Heb-Amme", Leipzig, Braun 1715. Dated 1715, credited to Unknown author Unknown author. Traditional birth attendants delivered most of the world's babies throughout the period these objects cover.
  11. - Lying-in scene after childbirth, German, c. 1731. Etching illustrating the uncleanliness of the mother after giving birth, according to Jewish law. The Bible, Leviticus, XII, 2-5: the text states that a mother should be considered unclean for 40 days after giving birth to a boy and for 80 days after giving birth to a girl. Dated 1731 in the Commons record. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments.
  12. - Forceps, midwifery, 18th century. An object held in the midwifery material of the free record, catalogued on Wikimedia Commons. Dated 1750 in the Commons record. The Chamberlen family kept their obstetric forceps a commercial secret for roughly a century, carrying them to births in a locked box and blindfolding the mother.
  13. - Frederik 6s fødsel. Birth of Frederik 6th of Denmark-Norway. Son of Christian 7th. Dated 1750, credited to Unidentified engraver. The move of childbirth from home to hospital changed who held authority in the room.
  14. - Baitenhausen Kirche Vierungsfresko detail Geburt. Fresko in der Vierung der Wallfahrtskirche Maria zum Berge Karmel, Baitenhausen, Stadt Meersburg, Bodenseekreis. Motiv: "Himmelfahrt und Krönung Mariens", 1760. Dated 1760 in the Commons record. Instruments entered the birth room as both a rescue and a claim to professional standing.
  15. - Hunterw table 12. A drawing from William Hunter's The anatomy of the human gravid uterus exhibited in figures (1774). Dated 1774, credited to William Hunter. William Hunter's Anatomy of the Human Gravid Uterus of 1774 was drawn from dissections of women who had died in late pregnancy, and it is drawn with a deliberate refusal to idealise.
  16. - Obstetrical forceps of Haighton, 1790. The image records obstetrical forceps of Haighton. General Collections. Dated 1790 in the Commons record. The Chamberlen family kept their obstetric forceps a commercial secret for roughly a century, carrying them to births in a locked box and blindfolding the mother.
  17. - Man-midwives attempting to deliver a monstrous woman. The image records man-midwives attempting to deliver a monstrous woman representing the Dutch National Convention. Etching attributed to James Gillray, 1796, after David Hess. Dated 1796 in the Commons record. Licensing of midwives ran through church and municipal authorities long before medical ones.
  18. - Obstetrics; utero-stoma-tomes, 1807. Utero-stoma-tomes, instruments qui coup l'orifice de la matrice. Dated 1807 in the Commons record. The Chamberlen family kept their obstetric forceps a commercial secret for roughly a century, carrying them to births in a locked box and blindfolding the mother.
  19. - Accouchierhaus GÖ, Grape 1818. Accouchierhaus Göttingen, Kupferstich von Heinrich Grape, 1818. Dated 1818, credited to Kupferstecher: Heinrich Grape (1761-1834). Manuals were written for practitioners who could read, which is not the same population as those attending births.
  20. - Hodge Forceps - USA (1833). An object held in the midwifery material of the free record, catalogued on Wikimedia Commons. Dated 1833, credited to B. Seguy. The Chamberlen family kept their obstetric forceps a commercial secret for roughly a century, carrying them to births in a locked box and blindfolding the mother.
  21. - Obstetrical forceps of Beaumers of Lyons, 1849. The image records obstetrical forceps of Beaumers of Lyons. Wellcome Images. Dated 1849 in the Commons record. Maternal mortality was the measure that eventually forced reform of birth attendance.
  22. - Birth of Venus MET 241039. Italian; Plaquette; Medals and Plaquettes. Dated 1850, credited to Creator:Master of the Birth of Venus. Lying-in hospitals concentrated births and, before antisepsis, concentrated infection.
  23. - Forceps français (type Levret-Baudelocque) 1860. Obstetrical forceps; french forceps: Levret - Baudelocque type; made around 1860. Dated 1860, credited to B. Seguy. Traditional birth attendants delivered most of the world's babies throughout the period these objects cover.
  24. - Koeberlé-type obstetric clamp, Paris, France, 1870-1900. This obstetric clamp was invented by Eugenè Koeberlé (1828-1915), a gynaecologist who introduced ovariectomy to France in 1862. The instrument was made by Collin and Company, a surgical instrument maker based in Paris, France. Dated 1870 in the Commons record. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments.
  25. - The Widow Fuku Giving Birth on the Way to Court for Arraignment for Theft LACMA M.84.31.168. Japan, 1875, 4th month Series: The Postal News, no. 527 Prints; woodcuts Color woodblock print Herbert R. Dated 1875, credited to Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japan, 1839-1892). Obstetric illustration was often the only way a practitioner could study a birth they would not be permitted to attend.
  26. - Tarnier incubator in use at the Maternite, Paris. The image records tarnier incubator in use at the Maternite, Paris. Probably taken from Berthod, P. Dated 1887 in the Commons record. Infant incubators were first shown to the public at fairs and exhibitions, which funded the wards that developed them.
  27. - A woman who gave birth to three children and four animals MET DP868000. The image records a woman who gave birth to three children and four animals. Dated 1900, credited to José Guadalupe Posada. The move of childbirth from home to hospital changed who held authority in the room.
  28. - Babies on a cart at Manhattan Maternity and Dispensary in 1912. photo of babies lined up on a cart in a maternity hospital. Dated 1912 in the Commons record. Instruments entered the birth room as both a rescue and a claim to professional standing.
  29. - Maternity (1932). Wellcome Library records Maternity (1932), on material dated 1932. Kept as birth as attended, instrumented practice.
  30. - StateLibQld 2 198331 Maternity ward of the Gympie General Hospital, 1935. Maternity ward of the Gympie General Hospital, 1935 Two storey maternity wing with verandahs opening out along the wards. Gympie is a city in south-eastern Queensland, situated on the Mary River about 162 kilometres north of Brisbane. Dated 1935 in the Commons record. Licensing of midwives ran through church and municipal authorities long before medical ones.
  31. - Sally Mennill - Reducing Risk: Caesarean Section at Vancouver's St. Paul's Hospital, 1950-1970. The University of British Columbia records Sally Mennill - Reducing Risk: Caesarean Section at Vancouver's St. Paul's Hospital, 1950-1970, on material dated 1950. Filed as birth as attended, instrumented practice.
  32. - All My Babies (1953) | Educational Midwife Documentary | Old Movie Archive. Old Movie Archive traces All My Babies (1953), on material dated 1953. Carried for maternal care as a documented practice.
  33. - Förlossning på karolinska sjukhuset. Karolinska sjukhuset i Stockholm, Uppland. Havande kvinna som får smärtlindring innan förlossning. Dated 1955, credited to Karl Heinz Hernried. Manuals were written for practitioners who could read, which is not the same population as those attending births.
  34. - Oulu city hospital's maternity ward in Tuira's hospital area in Oulu 1964 (JOKAKAL3B-13547). Building of the Oulu city hospital's maternity ward in Tuira's hospital area in Oulu on January 10, 1964. Because of overcrowding, an additional building is planned to be built next to the old. Dated 1964 in the Commons record. Maternal mortality was the measure that eventually forced reform of birth attendance.
  35. - Leierspielerin mit Kind Slg Ebnöther. Schaffhausen, Museum zu Allerheiligen, Sammlung Ebnöther (Abteilung "Musik/Tanz") Leierspielerin mit Kind; Bronze; Höhe 9 cm; Südosteuropa (?), Spätantike (?); wohl Bezug zu Geburt und Mutterschaft (Katalog 1999, S. Dated 1999, credited to User:Helvetiker. Lying-in hospitals concentrated births and, before antisepsis, concentrated infection.
  36. - Caesarian. A view of birth by caesarian section: this is the photographer's son as the cord was clamped. Dated 2000, credited to Erich gasboy. Traditional birth attendants delivered most of the world's babies throughout the period these objects cover.
  37. - Episio-dechirures. Comparaison des taux d'épisiotomoies et de déchirures périnéales dans deux études à grande échelle. Dated 2006, credited to Belbernard. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments.
  38. - C-section (Cesarean Delivery). Nucleus Medical Media presents C-section (Cesarean Delivery), published in 2008. What it offers is midwifery as skill and as institution.
  39. - Liberia: How can traditional birth attendants perform safe delivery? | Women & War | ICRC. International Committee of the Red Cross examines Liberia: How can traditional birth attendants perform safe delivery?, published in 2009. Carried for attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  40. - Sutura del utero. Anterior wall of the uterus sutured following a Caesarian section. Maracay, Venezuela. Dated 2009, credited to Bobjgalindo. Instruments entered the birth room as both a rescue and a claim to professional standing.
  41. - Cultures of Birth: Midwifery in 19th- and 20th-century Ontario. CanadianMuseumOfHealthCare records Cultures of Birth: Midwifery in 19th- and 20th-century Ontario, published in 2012. Held for birth as attended, instrumented practice.
  42. - Aztec Fertility Figure (Dumbarton Oaks) rear 1. The famous Aztec birthing figure from Dumbarton Oaks, often associated with the Aztec goddess Tlazolteotl. Recent microscopic analysis of the incisions and holes has determined that they were made by modern tools. Dated 2013, credited to Madman2001. Lying-in hospitals concentrated births and, before antisepsis, concentrated infection.
  43. - OBSTETRICS BABY CARE INSTRUCTIONAL FILM, 1930S. Historic Films Stock Footage Archive presents OBSTETRICS BABY CARE INSTRUCTIONAL FILM, 1930S, published in 2014. Filed as midwifery as skill and as institution.
  44. - Strong Start and the Midwifery Model of Care in Birth Centers. Frontier Nursing University records Strong Start and the Midwifery Model of Care in Birth Centers, published in 2015. The value here is the stool, the forceps and the maternity ward.
  45. - Risks and benefits of VBAC and planned caesarean section. University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust records Risks and benefits of VBAC and planned caesarean section, published in 2015. Carried for birth as attended, instrumented practice.
  46. - "Hard Labor" Birth in the 19th Century and Today. Case Western Reserve University surveys "Hard Labor" Birth in the 19th Century and Today, published in 2015. It sits in the archive as maternal care as a documented practice.
  47. - Lecture 6: Midwifery Forceps. Museum of HSTM University of Leeds covers Lecture 6: Midwifery Forceps, published in 2016. Kept as how birth moved and who managed it.
  48. - Reassessing the role of men in pregnancy and childbirth in Ulster, 1780 - 1838. Royal College of Physicians of Ireland examines Reassessing the role of men in pregnancy and childbirth in Ulster, 1780 - 1838, on material dated 1780. Included as attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  49. - Perrotta2. An object held in the midwifery material of the free record, catalogued on Wikimedia Commons. Dated 2017, credited to Mgenzac. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments, as in this 2017 example.
  50. - Cultural Bearers: Traditions of African Midwifery to Grand and Contemporary Midwives in America. Auburn Avenue Research Library traces Cultural Bearers: Traditions of African Midwifery to Grand and Contemporary Midwives in America, published in 2019. Its place in the archive is the instrument, the room and the attendant.
  51. - Midwifery and Women’s Health in the Last Frontier. Frontier Nursing University examines Midwifery and Women’s Health in the Last Frontier, published in 2019. The value here is attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  52. - Early: An Intimate History of Premature Birth and What It Teaches Us About Being Human. The Kansas City Public Library examines Early: An Intimate History of Premature Birth and What It Teaches Us About Being Human, published in 2020. Held for the instrument, the room and the attendant.
  53. - Education and Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mass General. MassGeneralHospital covers Education and Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mass General, published in 2020. It belongs here as how birth moved and who managed it.
  54. - Dr. Patrease Patton: Neonatal Jaundice. Emergency Medicine London surveys Dr. Patrease Patton: Neonatal Jaundice, published in 2020. Held for maternal care as a documented practice.
  55. - Midwifery in the Arkansas Ozarks (Stay-at-Home Lecture 10, September 3, 2020). SHMHP: History of Medicine surveys Midwifery in the Arkansas Ozarks (Stay-at-Home Lecture 10, September 3, 2020), on material dated 2020. What it offers is maternal care as a documented practice.
  56. - Human rights: Maternal mortality and morbidity. World Health Organization surveys Human rights: Maternal mortality and morbidity, published in 2020. Filed as maternal care as a documented practice.
  57. - Introduction of midwifery. Intense focus academy covers Introduction of midwifery, published in 2020. The value here is how birth moved and who managed it.
  58. - Schematic representation of maternal, gestational and fetal risk factors of macrosomia. The image records schematic representation of maternal, gestational and fetal risk factors of macrosomia, related complications and parameters used in the diagnostic process. IVST - interventricular septal thickness. Dated 2021 in the Commons record. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments, as in this 2021 example.
  59. - What Moms Should Know About Forceps & Epidurals. Irwin Army Community Hospital examines What Moms Should Know About Forceps & Epidurals, published in 2021. Its place in the archive is attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  60. - Maternity Hospital Routine, 1970s - Film 1016523. HuntleyFilmArchives sets out Maternity Hospital Routine, 1970s - Film 1016523, published in 2021. It sits in the archive as how childbirth was managed and by whom.
  61. - Then & Now: Maternal Health, Maternal Mortality, and the Intersection with Race. New York Academy of Medicine sets out Then & Now: Maternal Health, Maternal Mortality, and the Intersection with Race, published in 2022. It belongs here as attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  62. - What is a cesarean section? OB/GYN answers 13 common questions about c-sections | Stanford. Stanford Center for Health Education sets out What is a cesarean section? OB/GYN answers 13 common questions about c-sections, published in 2022. It belongs here as how childbirth was managed and by whom.
  63. - Hands of Iron- A history of midwifery in Glasgow. Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow sets out Hands of Iron- A history of midwifery in Glasgow, published in 2022. It sits in the archive as attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  64. - Marie Stopes’ Eugenics, Feminism and Birth Control. Wellcome Collection traces Marie Stopes’ Eugenics, Feminism and Birth Control, published in 2022. Held for the stool, the forceps and the maternity ward.
  65. - Accouchierhaus Göttingen, Westfassade, 2023. The image records accouchierhaus Göttingen, Westfassade, 2023. Dated 2023, credited to Rendor Thuces Al'Nachkar. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments, as in this 2023 example.
  66. - Obstetrical History | Midwifery & Gynaecological Nursing | AIIMS NORCET 2024. Nursing Wallah by PW surveys Obstetrical History, published in 2023. It belongs here as maternal care as a documented practice.
  67. - History Of Midwifery & Obstetrical Nursing || Eminent Personalities Of Midwifery & Obstetrics ||. Vitals Of Nursing documents History Of Midwifery & Obstetrical Nursing || Eminent Personalities Of Midwifery & Obstetrics ||, published in 2024. It sits in the archive as the stool, the forceps and the maternity ward.
  68. - CLOSING CEREMONY:TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANT 10-MONTH TRAINING PROGRAMME ON NEWBORN CARE (HBB, ENCC.. Subsaharan Health Solutions Nigeria Limited covers CLOSING CEREMONY:TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANT 10-MONTH TRAINING PROGRAMME ON NEWBORN CARE (HBB, ENCC, published in 2024. This is how birth moved and who managed it.
  69. - Cesarean Section Lecture in Hindi | Cesarean Delivery | LSCS in Detail in Hindi. GS Medical Academy sets out Cesarean Section Lecture in Hindi, published in 2025. The record it provides is how childbirth was managed and by whom.
  70. - Introductions To Foundations Of Midwifery. University of Cenacle covers Introductions To Foundations Of Midwifery, published in 2025. What it offers is how birth moved and who managed it.
  71. - US, Ghana midwives team up in maternity ward at African Lion 2025. Air Force Lt. Shameka Williams, a certified nurse midwife assigned to the 48th Medical Group, 48th Fighter Wing, U.S. Dated 2025, credited to U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla. Midwifery was women's work with its own transmitted knowledge until male practitioners entered it with instruments, as in this 2025 example.
  72. - LECTURE 1 ||Introduction To Midwifery|| BSC NURSING 6TH SEM UNIT-1||. Advaita Nursing Foundation covers LECTURE 1 ||Introduction To Midwifery|| BSC NURSING 6TH SEM UNIT-1||, published in 2025. Carried for how birth moved and who managed it.
  73. - Tenement Talk: Birth Rituals at 97 Orchard Street. Tenement Museum records Tenement Talk: Birth Rituals at 97 Orchard Street, published in 2025. The value here is birth as attended, instrumented practice.
  74. - The "Incubator" Babies of 1890 – How They Repopulated the World. The Tartaria Archives examines The "Incubator" Babies of 1890 – How They Repopulated the World, on material dated 1890. This is attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  75. - Life in 1800s The Victorian Maternity Hospital Where Half the Women Who Walked In Never Walked Out. Financial Archives examines Life in 1800s The Victorian Maternity Hospital Where Half the Women Who Walked In Never Walked Out, published in 2026. Held for attendance at birth as a trained skill.
  76. - Introduction to Midwifery: History of Midwifery in India | OBG Nursing Lectures. Saloni’s Nursing Hub examines Introduction to Midwifery: History of Midwifery in India, published in 2026. Carried for the instrument, the room and the attendant.
  77. - The History of Birth: What Nobody Teaches Us About Pain, Interventions & Social Trends. Moms Interrupted covers The History of Birth: What Nobody Teaches Us About Pain, Interventions & Social Trends, published in 2026. Held for how birth moved and who managed it.
  78. - The Incubator Babies Displayed at World’s Fairs — Where Did They All Come From?. nwhohand surveys The Incubator Babies Displayed at World’s Fairs , Where Did They All Come From?, published in 2026. It belongs here as birth as attended, instrumented practice.
  79. - Women Gave Birth In The Streets To Avoid This Hospital. The Medicine Files records Women Gave Birth In The Streets To Avoid This Hospital, published in 2026. Included as birth as attended, instrumented practice.
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