The Student Midwife Summer Issue, Volume One | Página 16

the student

Midwife

SUMMER 2015 ISSUE, VOLUME ONE

A H I S TO R Y O F BI RT H

16

This section is excerpted with permission from “The Way Of The Peaceful Birther” by Amy Cox Jones, CBE, doula, board member at
Midwives College of Utah and mother to Community School of Midwifery first year student, Roma Jones.

In order to gain an appreciation of how we got to our current state of affairs and how to
improve the future of birth in this country for yourself and children, it’s important that you get
at least a brief overview of major events in birth history. Unless otherwise noted, all are U.S.
events.

AD 98

1522

Soranus,
a
classical
Roman who attended
births, wrote a textbook of
obstetrics that was used
until the 16th century.

Dr. Wertt of Hamburg
dressed up in women’s
clothes to gain entry to a
labor room. He was discovered and burned at the
stake for his efforts.

500-1500

1524

Biblical Times
African and European
Continents
Midwives adhered to a
strict level of cleanliness
per the admonition of
Moses. They also educated young women about
their bodies, having children, and healthy pregnancies per that same
admonition.

Middle Ages and
Renaissance
[European Continent]
Barbersurgeons
began
trying to monopolize
childbirth services.
Women were forbidden to
practice medicine or midwifery, and many midwives were accused of
being witches and killed.
Only men were allowed in
the medical schools, and
soon the barbersurgeon
was delivering most of the
babies.

The first book of obstetrics was printed in English
called The Birth of
Mankynde by Thomas
Raynalde.