History of Childbirth - Fertility, Pregnancy and Birth in Early Modern Europe

Highly detailed and clearly written, this book is the first full-length study of the complex system of practices, beliefs and taboos which surrounded conception and childbirth in early modern Europe. In a rich and scholarly study, Jacques Gélis reconstructs the activities and attitudes of the midwives and mothers, and the sufferings they had to endure. He continues with an examination of the role of the Church, the herbalist and the mineral world (touchstones and talisman) in the explanation of the mysteries of procreation.

List of contents

Introduction. Part I: The Rhythms of the Earth: The Mother of all Things:.
1. Man, the Earth and the Cosmos.
2. Daughter, Wife and Mother.
3. What if No Child Appears?.
4. The Cycle of Life.
Part II: Pregnancy: A Time of Hope, Suffering and Anxiety:.
5. The Body in Pregnancy.
6. The Experience of Pregnancy.
Part III: The Woman Giving Birth:.
7. The Society of Birth.
8. Hastening the Hour of Deliverance.
Part IV: Between Mother and Child:.
9. Birth: A Double Liberation.
10. Suffering to Give Life.
11. Stages in the Delivery.
12. The Placenta: Double of the Child.
13. The Governance of Mother and Child.
Part V: The Socialization of the Child:.
14. Welcoming the New Baby.
15. Socializing the Child: Giving a Name.
Part VI: The Divagations of Nature:.
16. The Falling of the Flower.
17. The Unripe Fruit.
18. Unnatural Delivery.
19. Death, the Greatest Aberration.
20. Where does the Beast End and Man Begin?.
Conclusion.
Notes.
Further Reading.

About the author

Jacques Gélis is Maitre-Assistant in History at the University of Paris VIII.

Summary

Highly detailed and clearly written, this book is the first full-length study of the complex system of practices, beliefs and taboos which surrounded conception and childbirth in early modern Europe.

Product details

• Authors: J Gelis, Jacques Gelis, Jacques (University of Paris VIII) Gelis, Gelis Jacques
• Publisher: Wiley
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 08.08.1996
• EAN: 9780745618401
• ISBN: 978-0-7456-1840-1
• No. of pages: 344
• Dimensions: 154 mm x 230 mm x 26 mm
• Weight: 454 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Europe, European History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Marriage & Family, HISTORY / Europe / General, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, MEDICAL / Nursing / Maternity, Perinatal, Women's Health, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Social and cultural history, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, Sociology: family and relationships, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, c 1500 to c 1600, C 1600 To C 1700, C 1700 To C 1800, Sociology: Birth, Birthing methods