The Experience of Pregnancy and Childbirth for Unmarried Mothers in London, 1760-1866

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4882286
AutoresSamantha Williams (0000-0002-1415-097X, Bridge University, autor correspondente)
Ano2011
Volume20
Fascículo1
Páginas67-86
Data de publicação2011-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoWomen s History Review (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0961-2025 • E-ISSN: 1747-583X
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09612025.2011.536386
PMID21299011
OpenAlexW2080838713
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3

This article explores the experience of pregnancy and childbirth for unmarried mothers in the metropolis in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It draws upon, in particular, the infanticide cases heard at the Old Bailey between 1760 and 1866. Many of the women in these records found themselves alone and afraid as they coped with the pregnancy and birth of their first child. A great deal is revealed about the birthing body: the ambiguity surrounding the identification of and signs of pregnancy, labour and delivery, the place of birth and the degree of privacy, and the nature of, and dangers associated with, solitary childbirth

Childbirth · Gynecology · Obstetrics · Pregnancy · Historical Economic and Social Studies · Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Medicine