Birth Happens Midwifery in the Santa Cruz Mountains

WOMEN IN MEDICINE 19TH CENTURY MIDWIVES Midwives In 19th Century America Childbirth in the American Colonies Childbirth in colonial America was a difficult and sometimes dangerous experience for a woman. Since the typical mother gave birth to between five and eight children, her lifetime chances of dying in childbirth ran as high as 1 in 8. Death in childbirth was sufficiently common that many colonial women regarded pregnancy with dread. Image: American pioneer birth scene Gustave Joseph Witkowski, 1887 In addition to her anxieties about pregnancy, an expectant mother was filled with apprehensions about the death of her newborn child. In the healthiest seventeenth century communities, one infant in ten died before the age of five. In less healthy environments, three children in ten died before their fifth birthday. 18th Century Midwives In colonial America, the typical woman gave birth to her children at home. While female relatives and neighbors clustered at her bedside to of...

http://www.neonatology.org/pdf/midwifery.history.pdf

https://doulatrainingsinternational.com/brief-history-black-midwifery-us/ Black women’s accomplishments and contributions to midwifery are often overlooked. Their birth work stems from practices and traditions that date back to pre-colonization. In their African communities, midwives were more than birth workers and would do so much more than just catch babies. They were also known as spiritual healers. They acted as family counselors, breastfeeding consultants, postpartum doulas, nutritionists, family planning counselors – they were advocates and provided resources and care for their people. This rich tradition was passed down, from healer to healer and practiced even during slavery. They would not only attend the births of black women, but were often present and attended white women’s births. Today, due to systematic racism in the United States, the number of black midwives is low. However it is important to discuss the history and accomplishments black midwives have brought to bir...