Pregnancy and Childbirth in Ancient Rome

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the importance of pregnancy and childbirth in ancient Rome. The writer explains that since the birth of a child determined inheritance in Roman families, great care was taken in choosing a midwife who would care for the mother during her pregnancy and childbirth, administer postnatal care and take care of the newborn as well. The writer describes the three stages to a woman's pregnancy, and the many limitations and prescribed rules for each specific stage. The woman was almost helpless while pregnant; because everything was predetermined for her, including whether she would be allowed to keep her child.

From the Paper:

"The second stage of pregnancy was called Pica and started at about forty days after conception and lasted about four months. Women would have the general symptoms we have today such as nausea, upset stomach, fever, dizziness, and food cravings. These were signs that a human being has begun to form. In order to ease some of these symptoms, the woman was encouraged to do a one day fast and their stomachs were rubbed with oil. Their diets were also still limited in this stage to light foods, and they were supposed to remove anything unhealthy from their diets. Rose oil, myrtle, or unripe olive oil might also be applied to an upset stomach, as well as, a tightly wrapped woolen girdle."

Sample of Sources Used:

• French, Valerie. "Midwifes and Maternity Care in the Roman World." Indiana University. 1986. 23 Jan. 2009. <http://www.indiana.edu/~ancmed/midwife.HTM>.
• Fantham, Elaine, Helene Peet Foley, and Natalie Boymel Kampen, et al. Women in the Classical World. New York: Oxford UP, 1994.
• Lefkowitz, Mary R., and Maureen B. Fant. Women's Life in Greece and Ancient Rome. 3rd Edition. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins UP, 2005.
• "Population Theories." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 2009. 23 Jan. 2009. <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-60679>.

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