Jan 29, 2015
"Pregnancy and childbirth were risky in the Middle Ages. Complications that would today be considered relatively minor, such as the breech presentation of the baby (where the baby’s head faces up, rather than down), could be fatal for both mother and child. The Caesarean section, known since antiquity, was normally only performed if the mother was dead or dying, as it was inevitably fatal for her."
Image from ‘Les Anciennes Hystoires Rommaines’, late 14th century.
British Library shelfmark: Royal 16 G VII f.219
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