Classical Studies
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Start Date
10-4-2015 8:45 AM
End Date
10-4-2015 10:00 AM
Sponsor
Lynne Kvapil (Butler University)
Description
In modern American society, midwives are relatively uncommon since most mothers choose the medical model of childbirth which places importance on physicians and medicine to assist childbirth. Recent medical advances contributed to the medicalization of childbirth, but how were children born in historical eras without medical technology? A focus on Ancient Rome provides one of the earliest example of medicine in childbirth. Ancient texts written during the Roman Empire demonstrate an interest in women's reproductive health as seen through Soranus' Gynecology and Pliny the Elder's Historia Naturalis. These two scientific texts offer different accounts of childbirth which guides my research. Pliny the Elder emphasizes folk remedies, similar to modern trends in childbirth that rely on natural, holistic birthing methods. Soranus contrasts Pliny the Elder by placing midwifery in the medical sphere and separating childbirth from nature. As a male physician, Soranus places value on doctors and educated midwives in the process of childbirth. Even though advances in medicine contradict the works of Soranus and Pliny the Elder, these ancient scholars laid the groundwork for modern childbirth. Gender dynamics during childbirth exist in modern day as seen through men exerting power and knowledge over women during labor. Ancient midwives also offered women a way to gain status and prestige. Ultimately my research offers insight on different beliefs in Ancient Rome regarding midwives and connects these ideas to modern ideas about midwifery.
Included in
Labor of Love: Childbirth and Midwives in Ancient Rome
Indianapolis, IN
In modern American society, midwives are relatively uncommon since most mothers choose the medical model of childbirth which places importance on physicians and medicine to assist childbirth. Recent medical advances contributed to the medicalization of childbirth, but how were children born in historical eras without medical technology? A focus on Ancient Rome provides one of the earliest example of medicine in childbirth. Ancient texts written during the Roman Empire demonstrate an interest in women's reproductive health as seen through Soranus' Gynecology and Pliny the Elder's Historia Naturalis. These two scientific texts offer different accounts of childbirth which guides my research. Pliny the Elder emphasizes folk remedies, similar to modern trends in childbirth that rely on natural, holistic birthing methods. Soranus contrasts Pliny the Elder by placing midwifery in the medical sphere and separating childbirth from nature. As a male physician, Soranus places value on doctors and educated midwives in the process of childbirth. Even though advances in medicine contradict the works of Soranus and Pliny the Elder, these ancient scholars laid the groundwork for modern childbirth. Gender dynamics during childbirth exist in modern day as seen through men exerting power and knowledge over women during labor. Ancient midwives also offered women a way to gain status and prestige. Ultimately my research offers insight on different beliefs in Ancient Rome regarding midwives and connects these ideas to modern ideas about midwifery.