Indexed episode6 mentions

The Rest Is HistoryJun 2, 2022

191. Childbirth

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for 191. Childbirth on The Rest Is History.

Books mentioned

Giving Birth in the 18th Century The Midwife's Truth The Gossip's Choice+1 more

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191. Childbirth mentions Giving Birth in the 18th Century, The Midwife's Truth by Sarah Reid, The Gossip's Choice by Sarah Reid, and The Midwife by Jane Sharp with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

Giving Birth in the 18th Century The Midwife's Truth The Gossip's Choice The Midwife

3 books from this episode

Giving Birth in the 18th Century

there's a brand new book that only just came... Giving Birth in the 18th Century, which is very much interested in women's experience and what it was…

The Midwife's Truth

Sarah Reid

And she's got a book called The Midwife's Truth out in September.

The Gossip's Choice

Sarah Reid

'Yes, The Gossip's Choice is about a midwife practising in 1665 against the backdrop of the Great Plague.'

Episode summary

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 childbirth; and the average age of becoming a first time mother. They also look into the changes in the maternal mortality rate throughout history. And, finally, they touch on the authenticity of 'Call The Midwife'. Sara Read is the author of two works of historical fiction: The Gossips' Choice and The Midwife's Truth, available from all good bookshops. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Editor: Scarlett Murray Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia! Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook

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Giving Birth in the 18th Century

The host mentions 'Giving Birth in the 18th Century' to highlight its focus on women's experiences during childbirth,…

Card

The Midwife's Truth

Sarah Reid

The host mentions 'The Midwife's Truth' to highlight the importance of understanding women's experiences in childbirt…

Card

The Gossip's Choice

Sarah Reid

The host mentioned 'The Gossip's Choice' to highlight its connection to midwifery and childbirth during the Great Pla…

Card

The Midwife

Jane Sharp

The host mentioned 'The Midwife' to highlight the significance of midwifery in the context of childbirth history, esp…

Card

Francis Mauricio

The host mentioned 'Francis Mauricio' to highlight the historical context of childbirth practices and the influence o…

Card

The Birth of Mankind

The host mentions 'The Birth of Mankind' as a significant early midwifery guide that influenced childbirth practices…

Card

Book mentions6

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Answers to common summary, books, and takeaway questions for this episode.

What is 191. Childbirth about?

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for 191. Childbirth on The Rest Is History.

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What are the main takeaways from 191. Childbirth?

These are the strongest takeaways surfaced by the transcript, summary copy, and linked mentions for 191. Childbirth.

The conversation centers on history of midwifery.
A second recurring theme is historical childbirth practices.
Referenced books include Giving Birth in the 18th Century and The Midwife's Truth by Sarah Reid.
The strongest audience signal points to Historians and individuals interested in women's studies and Readers interested in women's history and childbirth.

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Which books are mentioned in 191. Childbirth?

Giving Birth in the 18th Century, The Midwife's Truth by Sarah Reid, and The Gossip's Choice by Sarah Reid are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to transcript timestamps and quote cards.

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191. Childbirth keeps attracting summary-style searches because this page combines episode context, transcript quotes, book references, and direct jump links back into the audio.

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Topic and sentiment signals

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Top triggers

history of midwifery(3)historical childbirth practices(1)medicalization of childbirth(1)midwifery and childbirth(1)

Mention sentiment

Deep Dive(3)Highly Recommended(2)Passing Reference(1)

Audience signals

Historians and individuals interested in women's studiesReaders interested in women's history and childbirthIndividuals interested in childbirth history and women's rolesStudents and professionals in midwifery and obstetricsHistorians and students of midwifery

Books Mentioned

The full list below is ranked by how useful each mention is to a listener: stronger recommendation language, clearer quote context, and better timestamp support rise first.

Giving Birth in the 18th Century

Best for Historians and individuals interested in women's studiesOften cited around medicalization of childbirth

“A brand new book that came out last month, interested in women's experience and what it was like to be part of a community during childbirth in the 18th century.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: medicalization of childbirth

For: Historians and individuals interested in women's studies

Key quote: “there's a brand new book that only just came... Giving Birth in the 18th Century, which is very much interested in women's experience and what it was like to be part of a community and what happened.”

The host mentions 'Giving Birth in the 18th Century' to highlight its focus on women's experiences during childbirth, contrasting it with the historical medicalization of the event. This book is positioned as a valuable resource for understanding the community aspects of childbirth in that era.

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The Midwife's Truth

Sarah Reid

Best for Readers interested in women's history and childbirthOften cited around history of midwifery

“Sarah Reid has a book called The Midwife's Truth out in September, which is the focus of the discussion.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: history of midwifery

For: Readers interested in women's history and childbirth

Key quote: “And she's got a book called The Midwife's Truth out in September.”

The host mentions 'The Midwife's Truth' to highlight the importance of understanding women's experiences in childbirth, especially from a historical perspective. The book is presented as a valuable resource that connects to the broader discussion of midwifery and its representation in literature.

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The Gossip's Choice

Sarah Reid

Best for Readers interested in women's history and childbirthOften cited around history of midwifery

“Sarah Reid is the author of a historical novel called The Gossip's Choice, which is about a midwife practising in 1665 against the backdrop of the Great Plague.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: history of midwifery

For: Readers interested in women's history and childbirth

Key quote: “'Yes, The Gossip's Choice is about a midwife practising in 1665 against the backdrop of the Great Plague.'”

The host mentioned 'The Gossip's Choice' to highlight its connection to midwifery and childbirth during the Great Plague. The book serves as a historical lens through which to explore women's roles and experiences in childbirth, particularly in the early modern period.

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The Midwife

Jane Sharp

Best for Individuals interested in childbirth history and women's rolesOften cited around history of midwifery

“Jane Sharp, who I mentioned a few moments ago, opened her book by claiming the role of midwife as set out in, given an example from Exodus.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: history of midwifery

For: Individuals interested in childbirth history and women's roles

Key quote: “So my midwife is the best midwife in the area. She's The Gossip's Choice.”

The host mentioned 'The Midwife' to highlight the significance of midwifery in the context of childbirth history, especially given his personal connection through his wife. The discussion aims to explore the contributions of women in this field and the historical narratives shaped by male authors.

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Francis Mauricio

Best for Students and professionals in midwifery and obstetricsOften cited around historical childbirth practices

“A Parisian physician who wrote a book in French in 1668 on childbirth, discussing the optimal position for women during labor.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: historical childbirth practices

For: Students and professionals in midwifery and obstetrics

Key quote: “Mauricio is writing that that's the most optimal position for opening the pelvis.”

The host mentioned 'Francis Mauricio' to highlight the historical context of childbirth practices and the influence of his writings on labor positions. Mauricio's work is significant as it discusses optimal birthing positions, contrasting with the common practices of his time.

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The Birth of Mankind

Best for Historians and students of midwiferyOften cited around midwifery and childbirth

“The first English language midwifery guide appears in 1540. It's called The Birth of Mankind or The Woman's Book is its subtitle.”

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Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: midwifery and childbirth

For: Historians and students of midwifery

Key quote: “It's called The Birth of Mankind.”

The host mentions 'The Birth of Mankind' as a significant early midwifery guide that influenced childbirth practices in the 16th and 17th centuries. This book is highlighted to illustrate the historical context of midwifery knowledge and its evolution over time.

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Giving Birth in the 18th Century

The Rest Is History · 37:27

there's a brand new book that only just came... Giving Birth in the 18th Century, which is very much interested in women's experience and what it was…

The Midwife's Truth

The Rest Is History · 1:43

And she's got a book called The Midwife's Truth out in September.

The Gossip's Choice

The Rest Is History · 1:36

'Yes, The Gossip's Choice is about a midwife practising in 1665 against the backdrop of the Great Plague.'

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