Assisting at births was the province of women in all cultures until the 17th-century. Prior to that, physicians (educated, but not hands-on) and barber/surgeons (uneducated but handy) were called only for difficult cases which were likely to end fatally.
With a superior knowledge of anatomy, and their use of forceps and opioids, men insinuated themselves into the practice of midwifery --initially hired by the aristocracy as "back-ups" to traditional midwives.
First in France, later in England, the aspiring classes gradually adopted the practice of employing men of their own social order to attend even routine births. During the mid-1700s, William Smellie in London started a school for men-midwives, and their numbers multiplied.
This trend met with resistance from many quarters: midwives and some physicians accused the newcomers of using their instruments dangerously: too early, and too often. A more common objection, usually voiced by men, was the specter of sexual impropriety by men in the midwifery business. John Blunt, whose book is highlighted above, was one of those authors critical of man-midwifery.
If you are interested in the history of Midwifery, click here to read more.
With a superior knowledge of anatomy, and their use of forceps and opioids, men insinuated themselves into the practice of midwifery --initially hired by the aristocracy as "back-ups" to traditional midwives.
First in France, later in England, the aspiring classes gradually adopted the practice of employing men of their own social order to attend even routine births. During the mid-1700s, William Smellie in London started a school for men-midwives, and their numbers multiplied.
This trend met with resistance from many quarters: midwives and some physicians accused the newcomers of using their instruments dangerously: too early, and too often. A more common objection, usually voiced by men, was the specter of sexual impropriety by men in the midwifery business. John Blunt, whose book is highlighted above, was one of those authors critical of man-midwifery.
If you are interested in the history of Midwifery, click here to read more.