A History of Childbirth

The Astors... Chances are you’ve hear the name of this prominent and obscenely wealthy dynasty of gilded age America. You may have been to a hotel, library, subway station or town that bares their name; vaguely remember that one of them went down with the Titanic, or recall seein ...  Show more

Ahilyabai was born a commoner but was chosen as the bride of a prince at the age of 8. When her Husband was killed in battle she was convinced not to commit sati by throwing herself on his funeral pyre. She instead became a warrior princess and studied statecraft. When her father ...  Show more

Why did Victorian doctors recommend women to lie still in solitary confinement for days after giving birth? What was the 'sit up and cough' method of contraception? (not the most reliable) And what was the level of infant mortality in the 19th century?

Tod ...

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic talk to Sara Read about the history of childbirth. Sara unveils the origin of the word 'gossip' and its connection to midwifery. As well as this, they discuss how someone would qualify as a midwife; the relationship between religion and childb ...  Show more

We’re connected to the past in more ways than you might think. 

For example, the 1861 Offences against the person Act is an abortion law that is still largely in place today. What does this Victorian law dictate? How does it still effect our lives today? And who ...

Let's all take a moment to thank Margaret Sanger and all those who advocated for women's reproductive rights. In this episode of Thick & Thin, we travel back to the 1900s' to learn the history of a popular birth control method, otherwise known as — the pill. // Follow me on IG: i ...  Show more