Call the Midwives—Assuming Any Are Left
While midwife-attended deliveries are the norm in the United Kingdom, they’re the exception in the United States. Time was, this difference wasn’t so stark.
The Age of the Birth Certificate
When states began restricting labor by children, verifying a person's age became an important means of enforcement.
How a French Midwife Solved a Public Health Crisis
Angélique Marguerite Le Boursier du Coudray revolutionized childbirth in France through education, building a detailed birthing mannequin.
Why Male Midwives Concealed the Obstetric Forceps
The history of obstetric forceps shows the dangers of privatizing important medical know-how.
When C-Sections Were Performed to Save Dead Babies’ Souls
In 1804, Charles IV, King of Spain, issued a legal admonition telling officials not to bury any pregnant woman without giving her a C-section first.
From Home Births to Maternity Wards and Back Again
Once hospital deliveries became mainstream, mothers have had to make a choice: a home birth or go to the hospital?
