Tag: Birth Pregnancy and Obstetrics
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Changes in childbirth in the United States: 1750–1950
Laura KaplanNew York, New York, United States For most of American history, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and post-partum have been dangerous periods for mother and child. However, starting slowly in the late 18th century and accelerating into the late 19th century, labor and delivery radically changed. Initially new medical interventions, such as forceps and anesthesia,…
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In the OR
Kelly KleinMichigan, United States I work at a large teaching hospital as an Emergency Department social worker. It is easy to get lost in a place that large, so I am accustomed to helping people get to various areas of the hospital. But on this day, I was not prepared for the charge nurse’s request…
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The death of Francesca Tornabuoni: examining childbirth amidst societal rebirth
Katrina GenuisVictoria, Canada Introduction The Italian Renaissance. These mere words herald a mental avalanche of associations; images of flourishing architecture, fresco paintings, overflowing libraries, and expanding commerce flow into our minds. As was the case for most historical eras, however, reality was far more complex than the artistic projections of the day suggest. Ironically, in…
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Breastfeeding
Gloria GrahamRancho Mirage, California, United States Many studies support the importance of breastfeeding in childhood development. The World Health Organization recommends that a child breastfeed for at least two years. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies, with some exceptions, be exclusively breastfed for about six months and continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods…
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A royal pregnancy gone wrong
George DuneaChicago, IL Perhaps one of the most famous pregnancies gone wrong was that of Princess Charlotte, the granddaughter of King George III and in line to someday succeed to the throne of England. Brought up in a royal household wreaked by dissension, she grew up rebellious, capricious, and ill-mannered, but settled down after her…
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Why are most babies born at night?
“Obstetrics is not the pleasantest of medical occupations, although it pays well and is one of the things that the young physician with any kind of practice can count on as a as financial backlog. Yet it takes a great deal of time and means a lot of night work. While the statement may not…
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Divine birth: birth of John the Baptist
In the gospel according to St. Luke we read how the aging priest Zachariah was punished with dumbness for not believing that his elderly wife would bear him a son. He regained his speech after he wrote down the predestined name of the newborn child, John. There was in the days of Herod, a certain…
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Divine birth: Athena, born from her father’s head
Athena (Minerva), the goddess of war and wisdom, had a strange birth. Her father Zeus (Jupiter) had swallowed his pregnant consort Metis (“wisdom”), because he was afraid she would bear a son who would overthrow him. Then he developed a severe headache that nothing would cure. So Hephestos, god of fire and blacksmiths, took an…
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How Gargantua was born
“Grandgousier was a jolly good fellow in his day, liking to drink as well as any man in his time, and he was very fond of salty food. . . . When he was of manly age, he was married to Gargamelle, daughter of the King of the Butterflies, a pretty wench with a good…