1. Pregnancy and birth
Childbirth marks the end of the phase of pregnancy, a phase governed by rules, obligations, and presumptions. childbirth, as the “labor” of the pregnant woman, was regarded as one element of “birthwork” along with the assistance (Obstetrics) provided by midwife and, from the 18th century, by male accoucheurs in towns and at lying-in hospital, and the birth rituals performed by the assisting community of women. The term “birthwork” (and in German Gebu…