New research project: Digitising Reproduction

Digitizing Reproduction: new technologies, intersectionality and the politics of inclusion is a new media project of academics from midwifery, sociology, media studies, science and technology studies, and more. It asks how new digital health practices in reproductive health are impacting outcomes at user and health services levels. The network connects researchers from the University of Leicester, … Read more

The Value of Mothers to Society

This new research project on responses to motherhood and child rearing practices in prehistoric Europe may be of interest to our members and followers, particularly those who are interested in science and archaeology: https://www.orea.oeaw.ac.at/forschung/prehistoric-identities/the-value-of-mothers-to-society/

On Witches and Midwives

Why have midwives been linked to witches in European history? by Helen King and Tania McIntosh What is your image of the midwife? For many people today, it’s the one we see in the long-running BBC drama Call the Midwife, about to enter its seventh series. This drama began as a fictional reworking of the … Read more

New journal article on Fear, Risk, and Caesarean Sections

We are pleased to hear about a new article in Public Health on “Fear, Risk, and the Responsible Choice: Risk Narratives and Lowering the Rate of Caesarean Sections in High-income Countries”. The article was written by Helga Hallgrimsdottir, Leah Shumka, Catherine Althaus, and Cecilia Benoit and can be accessed below. Please share widely and feel … Read more

Blog: Prof. Helen King reviews The Growing Season by Helen Sedgwick

The following book review was written by Helen King, Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at the Open University. I’ve just returned from Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota, where I was lucky enough to be a guest at their annual Nobel Conference. This year the theme was ‘Reproductive technology: how far do we go?’, and the speakers … Read more

Invitation: Conceiving Histories Exhibition

Conceiving Histories would like to invite you to come and visit their exhibition which is being held in the Peltz Gallery, Birkbeck, 43 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PD from 8th November-13th December 2017. They also have some events that you might be interested in, including a private view (15th November) and an artists’/academics’ symposium. The … Read more

New Videos

This week we are proud to announce that there are not one, not two, and not even three, but four new videos up on our Youtube channel. Below you can hear:

– Dr Frances Badger recount the tragic story of the Ramsbottom family following a maternal death;

– Dr Frances Badger tell the (happier) stories of Leah and Susannah;

– Dr Adrian Wilson discuss biblical allusions to childbirth, particularly in the Book of Genesis;

– Dr Adrian Wilson analyse Percival Willughby’s views on the uncertainties of childbirth.

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share with anyone who might be interested in our series of Birth Stories.

New Video featuring Trish Davies and James Drife

Here is the latest in our series of Birth Stories videos. This clip features a conversation between Trish Davies and James Drife, a retired Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Trish was a patient of James’s in the “Home from Home” unit in the Clarendon Wing.

Thanks to both for a fascinating conversation on a happy birth from the 1990s.