MPIWG

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midwifery manual

The first printed midwifery guide in English was published in 1540; like others that followed, it was addressed both to midwives and to married women. These works provided basic information on conception, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and care of the newborn. With the exception of Jane Sharp’s book (1671), they were all written by men.

From 1540 onwards, printed midwifery manuals were popular in England. A typical format includes the signs of pregnancy; a description of bodily changes associated with it; remedies for common ailments; descriptions of labor and delivery; and care of the newborn. Some also include a guide to selecting a midwife and or a wet nurse.


There are 82 books tagged with this term.
 
Last Name First Name Title Date
Chamberlayne Thomas The compleat midvvife’s practice enlarged 1659
Chamberlayne Thomas The compleat midwife’s practice enlarged, second edition corrected by R.C. I.D. M.S. T.B… 1659
Culpeper Nicholas A directory for midwives 1660
Culpeper Nicholas Culpeper’s Directory for midwives...The second part 1662
Chamberlayne Thomas The compleat midvvife’s practice enlarged, in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth… 1663
Massaria Alessandro The womans counsellour: or, The feminine physitian. Modestly treating of such occult accidents, and secret… 1664
Wolveridge James Speculum matricis hybernicum, or, The Irish midwives handmaid catechistically composed by James Wolveridge, M.D. ; with… 1664
Chamberlen Peter Dr. Chamberlain’s midwifes practice: or, a guide for women in that high concern of conception… 1665
Culpeper Nicholas A directory for mid-wives 1668
Wolveridge James Speculum matricis hybernicum; or, The Irish midwives handmaid. Catechistically composed by James Wolveridge, M.D. With… 1670
Sermon William The ladies companion, or, The English midwife. Wherein is demonstrated, the manner and order how… 1671
Culpeper Nicholas A directory for midwives 1671
Culpeper Nicholas A directory for midwives 1671
Sharp Jane The midwives book. Or the whole art of midwifry discovered. Directing childbearing women how to… 1671
Wolveridge James Speculum matricis; or, the expert midwives handmaid. Catechistically composed, by James Wolveridge, M.D. with a… 1671
Mauriceau Francois The diseases of vvomen with child, and in child-bed: as also, the best directions… 1672
Mauriceau Francois The accomplisht midwife, treating of the diseases of women with child, and in childbed. As… 1673
Mauriceau Francois The accomplisht midwife, treating of the diseases of women with child, and in child-bed… 1673
Culpeper Nicholas A directory for midwives 1675
[author not specified] Every woman her own midwife 1675
Culpeper Nicholas Culpeper’s Directory for midwives...The second part 1676
Chamberlayne Thomas The complete midvvife’s practice enlarged 1680
Chamberlayne Thomas The complete midvvife’s practice enlarged 1680
Culpeper Nicholas Culpeper’s Directory for midwives...The second part 1681
Culpeper Nicholas A directory for midwives 1681
[author not specified] The English midwife enlarged 1682
[author not specified] The English midwife enlarged, containing directions to midwives; wherein is laid down whatever is most… 1682
Mauriceau Francois The diseases of vvomen with child, and in child-bed: as also the best means… 1683
[author not specified] Aristoteles master-piece, or The secrets of generation... 1684
[author not specified] Aristoteles Master-piece, or, The secrets of generation... 1684