Friday, March 15, 2013

Why Did Midwives Lose Their Status


Why Did Midwives Lose Their Status?—and a Give-away

Each commenter during the month of March will be entered in a drawing for a Kindle or $25.00 Amazon gift certificate. In addition, all commenters on this post will have a chance to win a copy of Choices of the Heart, The Midwives #3 on Kindle, Nook, or paperback. See below for contest rules.


Prior to the nineteenth century, midwives were women of power in society. They assisted in the births of every rank in society, from peasants, to princes. They testified in court as to who was the father of an infant whose mother wasn’t married, and they knew secrets of married women. Midwives were respected, feared, and independent. But the invention of a French Huguenot family of physicians in England ceased being secret in the eighteenth century, and in the 1840s, a previously recreational element grew useful in the medical field—two inventions that excluded midwives.

With the exception of a few upper class and royal personages in cities, few women used a physician, a male before the 1840s, to deliver her baby. This was almost exclusively the role of a midwife. Midwives had a code of cleanliness and honor, and in some places even laws governing their conduct. Many supported themselves comfortably with their work. Old newspapers printed glowing obituaries of the good a midwife did for the community. Even epitaphs on tombstones proclaim how much these women were honored in the communities in which they lived and worked.

But childbirth was lucrative business and doctors didn’t like losing out on the income. After all, they were men and midwives were women. Women, however, held a major advantage over men in the birthing chamber (besides modesty for another woman)—women’s hands are, as a rule, smaller than men’s. Midwives could and did, give assistance by turning babies and helping in delivery by pulling.

So an enterprising French family of physicians invented the forceps. They passed this device down generation after generation for over a hundred years. Why no one else came up with the forceps until the 1720s, no one knows. And even after the forceps went public, so to speak, doctors did not adopt them. One reason was that they took some skill to use, and a few demonstrations proved disastrous for child and mother. In the end, physicians saw the value of the forceps in difficult births and adopted them as another tool of the trade.

Forceps were a tool of the trade midwives were forbidden to use. While the smaller hands of a midwife had previously been an advantage in a difficult birth, now physicians had an even better instrument.

The power of midwives began to decline.

Then the near death knell to the profession rang in the 1840s when the use of ether and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) became useful for something other than recreational intoxication. Physicians adopted it in surgery. Queen Victoria was given anesthesia for the birth of one of her children, and the fashion exploded amongst those who could afford it. No more pain in childbirth.

Midwives were still in need in rural areas and amongst the poor who could not afford a doctor’s fees; however, they did not again emerge as a preferred alternative for childbirth until the nurse midwives in the 1920s.

But that’s another story.

What do you think about the idea that midwifery became popular again with the growth of independence for all women?


Laurie Alice Eakes is the Award-winning and bestselling author of The Midwives series from Baker Revell, and a dozen other books and novellas. You can larn more about her books at http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com and follow her on twitter @laurieaeakes


52 comments:

  1. Man oh man, the lengths men will go to just to keep a woman from threatening his job status! Thanks Laurie, I learned a lot about midwives that I never knew.

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  2. Had this book on Netgalley, but didn't download it on time! Still interested though.
    There is a rather good television show about Midwives who lived and worked at a convent (some of whom were nuns) in 1950s which seems quite 'big' in the UK right now. Based on the memoirs of one of the Midwives themselves in fact.

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  3. I suppose midwives were might have been favoured because of their experience, men being unable to give birth after all!
    I've never had a baby of course, but perhaps there is more of a solidarity between women who can identify with each other better?

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  4. I just love these posts. They all have given food for thought...about things I seldom think about! I suppose it is true that as women take more choice for themselves, they might prefer the midwifery. A side note....PBS has had a wonderful series on midwives and this post reminds me that the new series of shows starts the 31st of this month!

    bcrug(at)myfairpoint(dot)net

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  5. Thank you all for stopping by. To me, the role midwives played in society is absolutely fascinating. They were women of power, and, yes, I expect doctors didn't like that.

    I must watch that midwife show. It really interests me.

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  6. I think the history of midwives is very interesting. I think that midwives became popular again with the rise of women's independence of course because women could feel they had more control over the birthing process and instead of depending on a 'man' to help deliver their baby it could be a woman helping another woman. Who needs men? (of course without the men there would be no babies to deliver!). I love your books, Laurie!!!!

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  7. Laurie Alice that was so interesting. I wonder if it had to do with more than just the money that the doctors were losing. If midwives were so revered in a society where women were not accepted in the work force did the doctors hold some jealousy for the elevated status of these women maybe feeling that glory was due them? Of course they'd never admit that but one does have to wonder.

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  8. My son and daughter in law are expecting their first, my first grandchild, and she is using a midwife. I love the idea of the more personal aid, the idea of a woman helping rather than a man in the birthing process, the idea of going more natural. It makes sense that it came back into vogue as women emerged from the restraints of the Victorian age and took back power and independence. But liberation aside, it seems to make sense from a purely common sense angle--women are more compassionate and empathetic to this uniquely female process. :)

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  9. I have a question Are midwives allowed to work in the hospitals?
    And I would love to win this book I have read the first in this series and have the second book but haven't read it

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    1. Hi Debbie, Our daughter had a midwife and delivered in a hospital. The certified nurse-midwives (CNM) are registered nurses who have completed additional education and training in women's health and maternity care. They practice as part of an ob/gyn interactive team. She saw the CNMs throughout her pregnancy at the clinic.

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  10. I have always been intrigued by midwives and have read books with them as the main characters. I think the use of midwives is nice as it seems to make women feel more comfortable in child birth. I have seen and heard where midwives are making a come back. Thank you for the chance to win your book.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

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  11. There are midwives who are trained within families of midwives before them who are skilled in women's care and birthing. At-home births are available as part of the family life for generations.
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  12. Thank you, Barb. I'm happy to like my books.

    Thank you, Kathleen, for answering the question. I used to live near Winchester, VA, and the small university there has a nurse-midwife program up through a master's degree. There are other places that train, too; I just met women from there while researching midwives.

    As to whether or not men feared midwives power? Oh, yes, I am quite sure they did.

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  13. At my doctor's office I only see the midwives. I chose them due to being women, but after delivering both of my girls with them... I love them! The midwives at my doctor's office are awesome! :) Such great experiences with them and I always felt comfortable with them.

    It's so sad that men felt they had to have control over the profession, personally I'd rather have a woman any day. I certainly don't want forceps used on me. I'm so glad midwives became popular again, because they're the best!

    brpchristiangirl@charter.net

    Bianca

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  14. Interesting article. I have friends who used midwives, and I considered using one myself for my second child, but ended up not doing so. I thank God for all the men and women who give aid to women in childbirth, making it easier and safer.

    jimmynmatthewsmom [at] netzero [dot] com

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  15. Have you read about the reemergence of midwifes and doulas. It seems woman are starting to turn back to them. I have a friend who is a doula.

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  16. Midwife's give women control over their own bodies. The doctor is nearby if needed and only used in case of an emergency. There were no midwife's when my daughter was born. If there had been then maybe I wouldn't have labored for 22 hrs. and still had to have a c-section.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I never realized the research that goes on when writing a book, to make it so accurate. Thanks for the hard work you do to make it wonderful for us readers!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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  18. I'm glad that midwives have been given more freedom and power in the last few years. I wish I would've had a midwife when my four teenagers were born...but cest la vie :-) I've been writing about an apprentice midwife in my 1st novel based in Russia, 1913. So it's been interesting to learn about what midwives were all asked to do to help people:) I'm glad that women in general have more independence today :-)

    Thanks for the interesting article Laurie...BTW love your books and would love to read this one :-)

    lornafaith (at) gmail (dot) com

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  19. The Amish use mid-wives and as long as they are trained and will call in a physician if things are above their field of expertise it's a matter of personal choice. I have found female gynecologists are far more sympathetic and understanding than their male counterparts. Would love to win! Linda

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    1. My e-mail address: dmcfarl101(at)juno(dot)com

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    2. Not all women gynecologists are more sympathetic and understanding. I had the misfortune in the 1970s — admittedly a long time ago — of meeting two of the most incompetent, narrow-minded, sanctimonious women O.B.Gyns imaginable. One of them assumed the symptoms my unmarried sister was suffering must be due to pregnancy and a botched attempt to abort, about which view she hinted darkly to my mother, while ignoring the truly alarming signs of a problem that nearly killed my sister. Fortunately the doctors at the local general hospital E.R. actually examined her thoroughly before making their diagnosis, and found out the real cause of her hemorrhaging and excruciating pain: a strangulated fibroid tumor the size of a three-month pregnancy, that her body was attempting to expel!

      Years later the other woman advised me the results of my pregnancy test were positive, and without even a second's interval to permit me to express my happiness, she twisted her face into an ugly scowl and informed me she did not perform abortions. It was a communication which shocked me, because I was married and wanted my child — NOT an abortion as she very wrongly assumed.

      I later discovered the two were best friends, which on reflection is not surprising. They deserved one another. Their patients, however, deserved better.

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  20. Enjoyed reading your article - thanks for the opportunity to win the book!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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  21. I have not had a child but I am sure I would rather have a woman deliver my child than a man if they both had experience.

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  22. From my experiences alone, I prefer a woman OB/GYN, and I know many women feel more comfortable with a woman doctor or midwife. In our community midwifery has become more popular, and with the amount of experience a midwife has in delivering babies I wouldn't hesitate to use one. An experienced midwife can detect any possible problems with a delivery and if necessary see that the mom is taken to the hospital for a safe delivery.
    Thanks for featuring Laurie's book and offering this giveaway!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  23. I agree with the others...I think midwifery is a perfect way...I think it's neat that more people are using them -it's nice to be at home too!

    thanks for the giveaway

    truckredford (at) gmail {dot} com

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  24. Thank you all for stopping by. It's interesting that women feel so strongly about having females tend female issues. I feel the same way, which may be partly what started my interest in midwives. My SIL, who majored in women's studies, tells me it's a form of feminism--women helping women. If so, then it's the right kind indeed.

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  25. As a nurse I personally wish that midwives and doctors would get along and work together along side one another in the on/Tyne work like nurse practitioners and doctors do in family medicine... The patients and their babies would benefit... Midwives take excellent care of moms and their babies especially after the baby is born, however sometimes doctors are need for example an emergency c-section... But when this happens the doctor takes over there is no happy middle ground...
    Lisa
    deiselbuffs@yahoo.ca

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  26. As a child,(1950's and '60's) in the Missouri Ozarks, we had 'wise women', they were the local midwives and often had a great knowledge of homeopathic medicines and herbal lore.
    It was not unusual to go see "Aunt Lula" for care during pregnancy or for illnesses.
    I think there was a degree of comfort being treated by a woman.

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  27. That was interesting. The forceps - who would have thought. Sometimes progress isn't so great : )

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  28. Thankfully midwives and doullas are making a comeback at least in Canada. There are many things men wanted that got implemented in the childbirth, such as laying in bed to have your child. This was because King Louie wanted to see the birth of his child as I've been told...

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  29. Thanks for the lesson in midwifery! I never realized that they had fallen out favor for awhile - obviously, I don't know alot about them...lol. However, I am sure that the growing independence of women in many different careers, is part of the reason why there is a resurgence of midwives. I don't know if I would use one or not, something to think about!

    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)dom

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  30. I don't know much about midwifery but I suspect that midwives who assisted their patients didn't have as many problems with the outbreak of puerperal fever that doctors did. It was such a horrible problem but for some reason I'm thinking women were smarter than the doctors who would go from woman to woman without washing their hands when pregnant women went to hospitals. Not sure. But it makes sense to me just because a midwife would probably be attending only one woman at a time.

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  31. I had my last baby at home with a midwife. You couldn't pay me to have a baby any other way now. I loved that birth and it was less painful than my medicated hospital births.

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  32. Jillian, you are right. Midwives lost fewer women and babies from infection. Midwives also had smaller hands and could turn babies positioned incorrectly. Forceps solved this for men, but they also damaged many babies with them.

    Doctors in hospitals often went straight from an autopsy to a birth without washing in-between. Midwives were, just naturally, cleaner.

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    1. Laurie,
      I can't even imagine the idea of going from an autopsy to a birth. Just the idea of it is going to give me nightmares. You would think that even in the days when they didn't think about hand-washing that it would be a natural sense to clean up after an autopsy before moving on. Frightening! Great post.
      Jill

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  33. What do you think about the idea that midwifery became popular again with the growth of independence for all women?
    I think that the majority of women feel more comfortable with women being there to assist with childbirth. I believe it's especially true for the midwives that gave birth themselves. Only a woman can truly understand what another woman goes through during childbirth.

    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. Yes, Cindi, I think you're right, that as women began to take control of their own lives, they also wanted other women to support them along the way.

    I've unearthed some new midwife material, so hope to maybe do another series in a different time and place.

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  35. Perhaps in the 1920's women believed that they had more of a choice and the ability to make an independent decision concerning the birth of their babies.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  36. This info about midwives was quite interesting. I know people who had midwives assist at the births of their children. I guess I didn't know enough about it when I had my kids to even consider it an option. I think it's good that there are more options available now.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  37. Hallo Ms. Eakes! :)

    I believe my mother was a forcep baby, but not one to advocate its use! :/ I think for all the technologic advances, that one thing the doctors had forshaken was the welfare of the woman -- before they had a separate field exclusive to women & childbirth, that is, but I am not sure when obstetricans came into view!? I can also see where in the infancy of medicine, there were many practices {ie: lack of cleanliness, lack of nathropathic alternatives, lack of understanding past physical sympthoms, etc} that led us to believe nowadays that doctors truly were at the mercy of their faith and of what they were taught in their trainings, which I would suppose didn't yield too much! I think midwives are coming back strong, because women not only want better care at time of birth, but they want an advocate on their behalf, who has their best interests and their children's at the forefront.

    Is there more on this subject you wanted to share with us!? It felt almost as though you were not yet done when I reached the end!?

    I'd love to win this book in paperback!
    inkand-blogaways(at)usa.net
    //Florida

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  38. I never knew the decline of midwives started with the forceps! What a cool history lesson. :)
    Farmygirl at hotmail dot com

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  39. Interesting. Can't wait to read this.

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  40. This was an interesting post. It is fascinating the midwives became popular again in the 1920s. I guess because they were women they didn't have the respect that should have been due them. I would love to read this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    Rose
    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  41. interesting post I too didn't know the decline started with forceps. I know they have some here but there have been incidents where they have not been qualified and things went wrong.
    I know they do get trained now and if going with a midwife I think it would be wise to have one who is trained and certified (the incidents here in South Australia are one lady who wasn't certified although she said she had the qualifications and at least one if not more babies died due to her malpractice.).

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  42. That was interesting information that I did not know about. Thanks for sharing. I would love to win.

    deamundy(at)gmail(dot)com

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  43. As a woman who had the privilege of being seen by a midwife in most of my children's births, I'm glad the profession has had a comeback. Thanks for the history lesson.

    Ginger(dot)solomon(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. "You would think that even in the days when they didn't think about hand-washing"!
    People in the Medieval period were expected to wash their hands before eating, it was simple good manners.
    https://medievalreader.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/medieval-table-manners/

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  45. Thank you all for stopping by and reading my post. I have a lot more information on midwives than can fit into a blog post. I'll write more posts on them in the future and give away copies of my other books in the series, as well. Stay tuned for random chances to win books. I have two more books coming out this year, though neither has to do with midwives.

    Next month on April 15, I will be talking about the mountian dulcimer, also something I researched for Choices of the Heart.

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  46. One of my granddaughters has 2 of her children using Midwives, and she prefers them. I think there a lot in this area that uss tem now. Much cheaper, and can stay at home. And, the family can be there. Maxie mac262@me.com

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  47. The winner of a copy of Choices of the Heart is Lorna. Lorna, I will be contacting you privately.

    Lorna and the other commenters will also be placed in the drawing for the grand prizes of a Kindle or a $25.00 Amazon gift card.

    Thank you all for stopping by. Hope to see you again next month. I will be giving away copies of different books from time to time, so keep an eye out to find out when and which book. so far, I have fourteen, so one never knows. :-)

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    1. Thanks Laurie :-) Really looking forward to reading your book!

      lornafaith at gmail dot com

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