A watershed signifies a noteworthy turning point. The events of the eighteenth century were key in shaping midwifery in many areas, and meant that this aspect of medical history was never the same again. Therefore for the reasons i am about to detail, the use of the word is appropriate and justified.
Midwifery and childbirth were very different landscapes at the start of the early modern period. Childbirth was as a social thing, and until around the eighteenth century, women shared the event as a cultural heritage. "In England around 1700, as for centuries before, childbirth was a social occasion for women. In the later months of her pregnancy, the mother-to-be would issue invitations to her friends, relatives and neighbours." [Wilson, …show more content…
Whilst it took a while to fully take hold over Europe, it nonetheless highlighted the eighteenth century as one of huge change, seeing part of a mass revolution of the entire medical industry. Before the eighteenth century, midwives were licensed by the church, and not the state. However in the eighteenth century, the state became keen to regulate and formally train their medical professionals among greater general concern for public health in the eighteenth century, as part of "the Enlightenment concern for hygiene, public health and the value of life" [Porter, 1997] These also included more hospitals, and the implementation of four lying-in-hospitals in London between 1749 and 1765. They enabled "unmarried mothers, usually servant girls, to deliver their babies with few questions asked", [Porter, 1997] another advantage of liberating childbirth from the …show more content…
They resisted attempts at formal education in the 1630s, with them preferring to rely on experience over theory. "those women that desire to learn must be present at the delivery of many women and see the worke and behaviour of such as be skilfull midwives who will shew and direct them and resolve their doubts." [King, 1995] This shows the lack of regulation in the field of midwifery. Whilst undoubtedly skilled, and highly valued members of society, official training was lax prior to the eighteenth century. From then however, midwives realised the need for improvement. Midwife Sarah Stone complained about both her male and female colleagues anatomical knowledge. She "complained of an ignorant midwife who "in opening the outer gate, (as she call 'd it) was the way, said she, to help the inner" [Stephanson, 2015] In the eighteenth century, midwives began to accept their role in the changing medical landscape, and acknowledged formal training as a means of
Midwifery and childbirth were very different landscapes at the start of the early modern period. Childbirth was as a social thing, and until around the eighteenth century, women shared the event as a cultural heritage. "In England around 1700, as for centuries before, childbirth was a social occasion for women. In the later months of her pregnancy, the mother-to-be would issue invitations to her friends, relatives and neighbours." [Wilson, …show more content…
Whilst it took a while to fully take hold over Europe, it nonetheless highlighted the eighteenth century as one of huge change, seeing part of a mass revolution of the entire medical industry. Before the eighteenth century, midwives were licensed by the church, and not the state. However in the eighteenth century, the state became keen to regulate and formally train their medical professionals among greater general concern for public health in the eighteenth century, as part of "the Enlightenment concern for hygiene, public health and the value of life" [Porter, 1997] These also included more hospitals, and the implementation of four lying-in-hospitals in London between 1749 and 1765. They enabled "unmarried mothers, usually servant girls, to deliver their babies with few questions asked", [Porter, 1997] another advantage of liberating childbirth from the …show more content…
They resisted attempts at formal education in the 1630s, with them preferring to rely on experience over theory. "those women that desire to learn must be present at the delivery of many women and see the worke and behaviour of such as be skilfull midwives who will shew and direct them and resolve their doubts." [King, 1995] This shows the lack of regulation in the field of midwifery. Whilst undoubtedly skilled, and highly valued members of society, official training was lax prior to the eighteenth century. From then however, midwives realised the need for improvement. Midwife Sarah Stone complained about both her male and female colleagues anatomical knowledge. She "complained of an ignorant midwife who "in opening the outer gate, (as she call 'd it) was the way, said she, to help the inner" [Stephanson, 2015] In the eighteenth century, midwives began to accept their role in the changing medical landscape, and acknowledged formal training as a means of