Printing: LABOR OF LOVE: AND MIDWIVES IN ANCIENT LAURA LINES

Without modern obstetrical technology, women in often resorted to midwives to assist in the birth of their child. What role did Ancient Roman midwives play in the birth and rearing of a child? What advice was given to these women who may or may not have access to educational resources?

Ancient Roman Midwives Folk Advice Medical Advice In Ancient Rome, midwives were valuable to Major contributions in traditional remedies come Important advances in the in labor and used by women in the . from ’s Historia Naturalis. Midwives medical side of childbirth Not only were midwives involved in the birth of a serving lower classes would likely utilize Pliny’s came from Soranus’ child, but midwives provided aftercare, women’s advice since his texts were easier to access (French Gynecology, the first medical text devoted to healthcare, and childcare advice (French 1986). 1986). women’s health (Dunn Roman midwives were educated, free women, but 1995). With the publishing men believed women were immodest and therefore • Menstrual discharge makes seeds infertile and of his medical texts, Soranus promoted midwifery as best suited to be involved during a messy childbirth kills crops (Pliny HN 7.13) a medical field, although one that is different from (Todman 2007). Midwifery offered a way for the male realm Roman women to gain prestige in a world centered • If a is pregnant with a male, she will • Menstruation is natural for women, but women around male knowledge and power. appear healthy and have a less painful birth (Pliny HN 7.5) who are more active bleed less than sedentary Midwife Relief from the Tomb of Scribonia Attice at Ostia women. (Soranus Gyn. 1.22) • If a woman is pregnant with a girl, then she will • Despite ancient thoughts about determining the This relief depicts a midwife be pale and have a painful birth (Pliny HN 7.5) assisting in the delivery of a sex of the fetus, there is no definite way to tell the baby’s sex while in utero (Soranus Gyn. 1.46) child. Found at Tomb 100, • In order to have a male the tomb of Scribonia Attice, child, a woman should eat • Midwives should put warm oil on the woman’s this relief indicates that rooster testicles abdomen and labia during labor to offer Scribonia might have been (Pliny HN 30.43) lubrication and pain relief (Soranus Gyn. 2.4) a midwife (Ostia: Harbor • Women should give birth on a birthing chair City of Rome). Other reliefs • A woman should drink (Banks 1999) and later be transferred to a soft on the tomb depict other powdered pig feces to bed to rest (Soranus Gyn. 2.2) medical themes, further placing midwifery in the realm of relieve labor pains (Pliny HN 28.77) • Women should opt for a wet-nurse with medium medicine practiced by men. breasts and good habits (Soranus Gyn. 2.19) Duties of a Roman Midwife The Ideal Roman Midwife After the Birth: Finding a Wet-Nurse  Looked over infants to determine their overall  Educated in theory and therapy, aware of Midwives played a crucial role after the birth of a health and identify any deformities (French 1986) hygienic procedures child by facilitating the hiring of a wet-nurse. A wet- nurse would feed the newborn, sometimes for as  Gave advice about raising or exposing child. In  Brave during birth and not scared long as 18 months (Lefkowitz, “Two contracts…”). the end, the male head of the house decided if a  Sympathetic and reassuring These contracts were often ran like a business child should be raised or killed (Todman 2007). transaction with the wet-nurse receiving a set  Sober and have a quiet personality  Provided abortions and contraceptives for amount of pay for her services. Since nursing a child women (Riddle 1992).  Not focused on money is intimate and crucial, most mothers look for a sober, Greek wet-nurse who is very moderate when  Severed the umbilical cord and bathed the  Soft hands and short nails taking care of the child (Lefkowitz, “Hiring…”). This newborn (French 1986). Soranus, Gynecology 1.4 will help ensure the child will grow up to be healthy. `