Gone Medieval Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Childbirth in Medieval Times with Kate Lister
Host/Author: History Hit
Release Date: July 15, 2025

Introduction

In the July 15, 2025 episode of Gone Medieval, hosted by Dr. Eleanor Janega, the focus shifts to the intricate and often harrowing realities of childbirth during the medieval period. Joined by the insightful Dr. Kate Lister, the hosts delve deep into the societal attitudes, medical practices, and the pivotal role of midwives in medieval Europe.

Medieval Attitudes Towards Childbirth

Contrary to modern tendencies to shy away from discussing childbirth, medieval societies approached it with a matter-of-fact demeanor. Dr. Janega highlights this difference by stating, “Medieval people are getting on with it. They're a lot more matter of fact” (06:18).

• Openness: Childbirth was openly discussed, and the harsh realities were not sugar-coated. Women were more candid about the pain, dangers, and physical toll of childbirth.

• Community Involvement: Given the lack of privacy, births often occurred at home with the entire community, especially women, playing supportive roles.

The Role and Training of Midwives

Midwives were the cornerstone of medieval childbirth, serving as both attendants during labor and general healthcare providers within their communities.

• Training and Apprenticeship: Midwives gained expertise through apprenticeships, learning practical skills such as stitching and managing complications. Dr. Janega notes, “you're probably going to train in a sort of apprenticed kind of manner” (10:00).

• Respect and Reputation: These women held significant respect in their communities, often forming the backbone of medieval healthcare. They were reliable sources of medical knowledge and support.

• Nuns as Midwives: Many midwives were nuns, benefiting from their extensive training and dedication to serving the community. Dr. Lister asks, “Is it true that some nuns were midwives or some midwives were nuns?” (08:44), to which Dr. Janega confirms, explaining that institutions like the Hotel Dieu in Paris were run by nuns who also served as midwives.

Medical Practices and Procedures

Medieval childbirth practices combined practical knowledge with rudimentary medical techniques, often derived from classical sources.

• Preventative Measures: Oiling up to prevent tearing was a common practice. Dr. Lister asks if the birthing chair was effective, to which Dr. Janega responds positively, explaining how gravity assisted in labor (20:54–21:27).

• Handling Complications: Midwives managed breech births and other complications by manually adjusting the baby’s position, showcasing their hands-on approach to ensuring successful deliveries.

Dangers and Mortality Rates

Childbirth in the medieval period was fraught with peril, with high mortality rates for both mothers and infants.

• High Risk: Dr. Janega mentions that there was “a 50, 50 chance at the time” of survival for both mother and child during difficult births (17:01).

• Cesarean Sections: These were rarely performed and typically only when the mother was already deceased, aimed at saving the baby’s soul through swift baptism. Dr. Janega explains, “a caesarean at the time... is something that you're gonna do when mom's dead” (26:24).

Changing Medicalization of Childbirth

The professionalization of medicine during and after the Enlightenment period marked a significant shift in childbirth practices.

• Exclusion of Women: As universities began granting medical degrees, the field became more rigid and male-dominated. Dr. Janega notes, “kings will say, for example, you can't call yourself a physician unless you have a degree from a university” (37:43), leading to the marginalization of women midwives.

• Rise of Physicians: The increasing dominance of formally trained physicians reduced the reliance on midwives, transitioning childbirth from a community-centered event to a more medicalized and institutionalized process.

Social Attitudes, Abortion, and Witchcraft

Medieval attitudes towards abortion were more pragmatic up to a certain point, but this began to change, leading to the persecution of midwives.

• Pragmatic Approach: Initially, midwives performed abortions to prevent infanticide in cases where families couldn’t support additional children. Dr. Janega explains, “they are like, we know things happen. You might have too many children” (29:00).

• Shift Towards Persecution: With the rise of stricter religious doctrines, especially during conflicts between Protestants and Catholics, midwives who performed abortions began to be persecuted as witches. Dr. Lister observes, “that is very specifically, okay. The group of midwives who are persecuted as the ones doing abortions for services” (28:34).

Physical Impacts on Women

Multiple childbirths took a significant toll on women’s bodies, a reality often under-discussed both in medieval times and today.

• Bodily Damage: Women who had numerous children often suffered from vaginal tearing, fistulas, and internal injuries. Dr. Lister remarks, “there must have been, like, incontinent and tears and fistulas and all kinds of internal injuries” (36:04).

• Adaptation: Over time, women’s bodies adapted to frequent childbirths, resulting in fewer tears in subsequent pregnancies. Dr. Janega states, “your body does, to an extent, get used to it” (35:29).

Conclusion: Legacy of Medieval Midwifery

Medieval midwives played a vital role in childbirth, combining practical skills with community support. Despite the high risks and societal changes that eventually marginalized their role, their legacy underscores the importance of midwifery in historical and modern contexts.

Dr. Janega concludes the discussion by reflecting on the evolution of childbirth practices, emphasizing the balance between medical intervention and traditional support systems. She underscores the enduring value of midwifery, advocating for respectful integration of these practices in contemporary settings.

Notable Quotes

• Medieval Open Attitudes: “Medieval people are getting on with it. They're a lot more matter of fact.” (06:18)
• Role of Nuns: “nuns are some of the women who are trained pretty extensively in medical care.” (08:48)
• Birthing Chairs: “if you sit up and get on the chair, then that gravity is going to help draw the baby down along with the contractions.” (21:27)
• Medicalization Shift: “kings will say, for example, you can't call yourself a physician unless you have a degree from a university.” (37:43)
• Physical Toll: “there must have been, like, incontinent and tears and fistulas and all kinds of internal injuries.” (36:04)

Final Thoughts

This episode of Gone Medieval offers a compelling exploration of childbirth in medieval times, shedding light on the resilience of women and the foundational role of midwives. Dr. Eleanor Janega and Dr. Kate Lister provide a nuanced understanding of how childbirth was managed, the associated risks, and the societal structures that supported or hindered maternal and infant health.

For those intrigued by the depths of medieval history, particularly the lives of ordinary people, this episode serves as a profound reminder of the enduring challenges and triumphs surrounding childbirth.

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