Midwives and Medical Men: A History of the Struggle for the Control of Childbirth

This book explores the history of midwifery, from its origins in the 17th Century with aristocratic and Royalty attendees to its decline in the 19th Century due to institutionalization and mechanization. It highlights the efforts to preserve female attendance in childbirth and improve maternity services for the poor, reversing the downward trend. However, the 20th Century's drive for institutionalization and mechanization has once again brought midwifery to the forefront.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1977 and reissued in 1988, this book delves into the lives of the remarkable women who held esteemed positions as midwives in the aristocracy and Royalty during the 17th century. The author intricately explores the trajectory of these women's successors, shedding light on how they gradually lost their foothold in the more lucrative aspects of the profession. By the middle of the 19th century, it seemed inevitable that childbirth attendance would become a male-dominated domain, mirroring the situation in North America. However, a remarkable reversal occurred through the tireless efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving women's choice of having female midwives attend their childbirth and improving maternity services for the underprivileged.

Despite these advancements, the 20th century witnessed a relentless push for institutionalization and mechanization of childbirth, coupled with a chronic shortage of midwives. This resurgence of attention has once again brought midwifery to the forefront of societal discourse. This unique historical account of the developments in midwifery holds immense interest for students of medical politics, 19th-century social history, the sociology of professions, and gender studies. It provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of social, cultural, and medical factors that have shaped the profession throughout its evolution.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032454610