1. The mysterious office of women -- 2. The "seasonable help" of the men midwives -- 3. "Churgeons," midwives and physicians in English America -- 4. The growth of man midwifery in America -- 5. Man midwifery and the delicacy of the sexes -- 6. Man midwifery exposed -- 7. Midwives and "female doctresses" -- 8. Resistance and change
Summary
Drawn from sixteenth to nineteenth century records to create an account of the midwife's status, duties, and skills, the author goes on to describe the development in eighteenth-century England and America of new techniques in obstetrics that led more and more to doctors to practice as regular accoucheurs. Before this except in cases when a surgeon might be summoned, childbearing was strictly a woman's concern. The author also explores the paradox of men taking the place of midwives among the upper and middle classes in an age that placed great importance on feminine modesty
Analysis
Midwifery United States History
Midwives United States History
Misogyny United States History
Sex discrimination against women United States History
Sex discrimination in medicine United States History
