I loved to learn that this network of women helping each other was seen as a big part of the midwife's work. Also, how it wasn't seen as a problem having to call for help. It's often women, a whole network of them, in the background of history!
That is so very true. I think whether it's in the past or in the present, we shouldn't underestimate the power of community-building. And I love finding out these women - they're hiding in plain sight, in a way! ;)
Thank you, that is so nice to hear! And your timing for that feedback couldn't have been better as I'm just working on a 45-minute video... So it's great to know that some people do like longer videos too! Thanks for watching ;)
Your explanations are so easy to understand! One of the best and underrated history channels out there. You deserve more spotlight. Love from an Indian history student 🇮🇳
I love how history shows over and over again how the more things change the more things stay the same. These days there is a push for more midwives and less medicalization of child birth when possible. Medical doctors are pushing back hard on this because how dare women not want to give birth in an environment where they are mostly left to labor alone in understaffed hospitals.
I know, it's really infuriating. I think most people do try their best, but when everything is underfunded and understaffed, there's not much that can be done. If only health services were properly funded, it would be better for everyone - those giving birth and those attending them! And of course, people should be supported in choosing whatever works better for them, whether it's giving birth at home or in hospitals, with midwives or physicians. But it's not fair not to be able to choose and to be pressured, especially in such a vulnerable moment as giving birth!
I'm pretty sure you have the read the book, but "A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich really convinced me how good a good midwife really was. Because Ballard kept such detailed records, Ulrich was able to calculate the maternal and infant mortality rate for her patients. It was better than what the U.S. as a whole was able to achieve until 1920.
Yes! Well remembered. It's so wonderful when people like her are able to leave records and tell their own story - and we're so lucky when the writings survive all the way to us. What a good description, 'how good a good midwife really was'! Thank you for your comment :)
Amazing Julia! As I said, I really learn a lot, and particularly about this theme I didn’t know how the midwives were so well prepared… maybe as a physician this knowledge has not been well disseminated… (sorry about my English!) ❤❤❤❤
What about Jewish communities? Did they have their own midwives, and their own licensing? Since Christian midwives were licensed by the church, and I can't imagine a Jewish family wanting a midwife who might baptise their child against their will (especially since, in Italy, for example, a child that's been baptised would be taken away by the authorities from the Jewish parents, to be raised in a Christian family).
That's a great question, thank you. It depends on which country we're talking about but yes, religious minority groups tended to have their own midwives and regulations, although they could collaborate with each other on occasion (Quacker midwives would often help their colleagues from a different religious background, for instance). Jewish midwives were known to be particularly capable when dealing with malpresentations (and being able to turn the baby in the womb). Of course, with most midwives being under Church regulation, there was room for practices that today we would consider unacceptable. Thank you for watching!
It reminds me of the film "Tristram Shandy: A cock and bull story" where the pregnant noble lady is screaming for the midwife but the "enlightened" man has the male doctor come in with his forceps... and kills the baby and woman. Just throw millennia of practical wisdom out the window in favor of an imperial process they barely understand.
Fantastic point! Yes, I think the doctor character was based on John Burton, who wrote a midwifery guide. If I remember it correctly, the forceps even cut off Tristram's nose! It's such a fascinating story, because in the mid-18th-century the debate about men vs women as birth attendants is so virulent, and forceps come to symbolise this.
(Off topic but the miracle of the internet makes Dom Casmurro available, and Machado de Assis did the same stairstep trick with an ocean wave independently in, I think it was maybe Brazil. My prof begged us to sell our books back because he couldn’t get enough for our ten-student senior seminar so I’m risking the guess but everyone has read it) Great video! Engagement! 😊😅
As a Brazilian, I can't overstate how incredible it is when people know Machado de Assis. Easily one of the best writers to have ever lived! And Dom Casmurro is his best work, I think! ♥ 📚
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed the video! May I ask what the title of the book was, just out of curiosity? I'm always looking for new things to read... :)
I loved to learn that this network of women helping each other was seen as a big part of the midwife's work. Also, how it wasn't seen as a problem having to call for help. It's often women, a whole network of them, in the background of history!
That is so very true. I think whether it's in the past or in the present, we shouldn't underestimate the power of community-building. And I love finding out these women - they're hiding in plain sight, in a way! ;)
I really appreciate your videos. Always a great watch. Wouldn't mind if they were longer though! :D
Thank you, that is so nice to hear! And your timing for that feedback couldn't have been better as I'm just working on a 45-minute video... So it's great to know that some people do like longer videos too! Thanks for watching ;)
@@juliamartinshistory looking forward to it!! :D
Your explanations are so easy to understand! One of the best and underrated history channels out there. You deserve more spotlight.
Love from an Indian history student 🇮🇳
Thank you so much, that's so kind of you. I'm glad you enjoy the videos and I truly appreciate the encouraging words! :)
I love how history shows over and over again how the more things change the more things stay the same. These days there is a push for more midwives and less medicalization of child birth when possible. Medical doctors are pushing back hard on this because how dare women not want to give birth in an environment where they are mostly left to labor alone in understaffed hospitals.
I know, it's really infuriating. I think most people do try their best, but when everything is underfunded and understaffed, there's not much that can be done. If only health services were properly funded, it would be better for everyone - those giving birth and those attending them! And of course, people should be supported in choosing whatever works better for them, whether it's giving birth at home or in hospitals, with midwives or physicians. But it's not fair not to be able to choose and to be pressured, especially in such a vulnerable moment as giving birth!
Muito bom Júlia! Parabéns!
Muito obrigada, Luciana! ♥
I'm pretty sure you have the read the book, but "A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich really convinced me how good a good midwife really was. Because Ballard kept such detailed records, Ulrich was able to calculate the maternal and infant mortality rate for her patients. It was better than what the U.S. as a whole was able to achieve until 1920.
Yes! Well remembered. It's so wonderful when people like her are able to leave records and tell their own story - and we're so lucky when the writings survive all the way to us. What a good description, 'how good a good midwife really was'! Thank you for your comment :)
Just subscribed! Great video
Thank you! So nice to hear you enjoyed it :)
Amazing Julia! As I said, I really learn a lot, and particularly about this theme I didn’t know how the midwives were so well prepared… maybe as a physician this knowledge has not been well disseminated… (sorry about my English!) ❤❤❤❤
No need to apologise at all! Thank you so much for watching and for taking the time to comment. I'm so glad you found the video helpful! ;)
She is back! ❤
indeed lol ;)
Thank you for history.
Turning medicine into dollars was a sad turn of history.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, we definitely need more empathy and community support, I think...
"Should we trust men like..." me instantly "no" 😂😂😂
hahaha a rather familiar feeling! :)
What about Jewish communities? Did they have their own midwives, and their own licensing? Since Christian midwives were licensed by the church, and I can't imagine a Jewish family wanting a midwife who might baptise their child against their will (especially since, in Italy, for example, a child that's been baptised would be taken away by the authorities from the Jewish parents, to be raised in a Christian family).
That's a great question, thank you. It depends on which country we're talking about but yes, religious minority groups tended to have their own midwives and regulations, although they could collaborate with each other on occasion (Quacker midwives would often help their colleagues from a different religious background, for instance). Jewish midwives were known to be particularly capable when dealing with malpresentations (and being able to turn the baby in the womb). Of course, with most midwives being under Church regulation, there was room for practices that today we would consider unacceptable. Thank you for watching!
It reminds me of the film "Tristram Shandy: A cock and bull story" where the pregnant noble lady is screaming for the midwife but the "enlightened" man has the male doctor come in with his forceps... and kills the baby and woman. Just throw millennia of practical wisdom out the window in favor of an imperial process they barely understand.
Fantastic point! Yes, I think the doctor character was based on John Burton, who wrote a midwifery guide. If I remember it correctly, the forceps even cut off Tristram's nose! It's such a fascinating story, because in the mid-18th-century the debate about men vs women as birth attendants is so virulent, and forceps come to symbolise this.
(Off topic but the miracle of the internet makes Dom Casmurro available, and Machado de Assis did the same stairstep trick with an ocean wave independently in, I think it was maybe Brazil. My prof begged us to sell our books back because he couldn’t get enough for our ten-student senior seminar so I’m risking the guess but everyone has read it)
Great video! Engagement! 😊😅
Oh you said film. I’m sorry I assumed you meant the book. What a GIRL lolol
As a Brazilian, I can't overstate how incredible it is when people know Machado de Assis. Easily one of the best writers to have ever lived! And Dom Casmurro is his best work, I think! ♥ 📚
I meant the book! I haven't watched the film yet, but I probably should...
Oooh very interesting!
Puts me in mind of a book I read in my preteens.
🔨🛠️ the patriarchy
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed the video! May I ask what the title of the book was, just out of curiosity? I'm always looking for new things to read... :)