Special Topics in Global Health (390-0-34)

Topic

Pregnancy and Childbirth Since 1800

Instructors

Sarah Rodriguez
312/503-2887
1800 Sherman Ave Suite 1-200, Evanston

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-325: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

People's ideas about pregnancy - how to prevent or enable, when it starts and how it progresses, how to ensure it is healthy, how to intentionally end it early, and what it means when it ends early unintentionally - have changed, in some cases dramatically, over the past 275 years. In addition, ideas about childbirth have also changed since 1750, going from what was largely a female event, one assisted (if assisted at all) by women who had gained their knowledge through experiential learning to one where the most ‘appropriate' attendant obtained their skills formally, in alignment with biomedical ideas, and overseen by the state. How have laboring women, midwives (both formally and experientially trained), physicians, fathers, family members, and the state participated in changes regarding conceptualizations of pregnancy and childbirth? We will consider this question within both local and global frames, seeking to juxtapose microhistory "and broadly comparative narratives" to, per Northwestern history professor Amy Stanley, zoom in "on the particularities of a local situation" and pan out "to ponder the commonalities."

This course takes a comparative approach regarding the history of pregnancy and childbirth. We will begin in the 1700s, as during this century multiple states across Europe began more formal training for midwives, requiring midwives pass oral examinations to practice, and requiring midwives be registered with the government. In addition, it is this century when men began to engage more frequently in normal deliveries, first as male midwives and then by the 1800s as obstetricians. Drawing from histories focusing on individuals and institutions from across the globe, we will explore changes and continuities in both popular and medical ideas about when a pregnancy starts; how to become pregnant; how to prevent or end pregnancy; fetal development; perceived risks in pregnancy and childbirth; and what counts as ‘normal' and ‘safe' labor and delivery. Further, we will consider who has been regarded as an expert in pregnancy and childbirth and shifts in authority, who has been seen as the appropriate attendant during labor, when and why actors beyond the laboring woman and the attendant have become interested in pregnancy and childbirth, and the role of the state regarding pregnancy and childbirth. In this class we will be attentive to historical changes and continuities regarding pregnancy and childbirth globally since 1750, enabling us to consider historical themes and patterns, with the intention of better understanding how ideas and concerns regarding pregnancy and childbirth do not exist in isolation from larger sociopolitical and economic concerns.

Class Materials (Required)

All required materials will be available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: No freshmen allowed. Pre-registration is for Global Health Studies Majors and Minor only. Registration is open to other students after pre-registration.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required