Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Childbirth
(1,116 words)

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…

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Labouvie, Eva, “Childbirth”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_019662>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20160907



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