History

Did A King’s Weird Fetish Change The Course Of Gynaecology & Obstetrics In The Modern World?

It is claimed that the way normal human birth happens right now, is strangely enough — not natural. Some historians claim that the birthing position that many new mothers are pushed into, is an act that developed out of a King’s fetish of seeing women, gives birth. But let’s find out how true this claim is?

Image of the Female Uterus, published in The Midwives Book by Jane Sharp

It was an era where midwives were not popular or commonly hired, gynecology wasn’t as advanced, and a lot was still a mystery about women’s bodies. Childbirth was only considered to be a private, essential and painful experience that the women had to go through, without any aid. C-sections weren’t common, the death of mothers during childbirth was a norm, and a lot of other sicknesses were popular in the market, potent enough to simply kill you.

It was 17th century Europe, particularly France, where King Louis IV was ruling at the time. Also known by the name Louis The Great, he was indeed a ruler who had one of the longest-lasting regimes in France. He ruled over the country for over 7 decades (72 years to be precise)…