No account of childbirth before the arrival of the manmidwife as a regular feature, rather than an emergency resource, should omit the presence of the gossips — from "godsiblings". These local worthies, friends and family were all women. The husband was excluded for the duration of the lying-in period. Our sense of the word "gossip" arouse from male speculation about the conversations in this women's space.

In principle, anyone attending the birth was invited by th mother and / or midwife. In practice, however, there were often neighbours who felt they were entitled to be present, drinking posset and exchanging views. This could lead to anxiety and ill will, whether or not they were admitted, and even accusations of witchcraft on occasion.

David Harley

I posted a midwife’s diploma from 1784 France on my blog: http://blog.catherinedelors.com/2008/10/08/childbirth-in-the-17th-century.aspx

Catherine, I believe you are thinking of Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis who told all those nasty doctors to wash their hands after disecting cadavers. His associates refused and thought he was crazy. Washing off the blood and gore was considered unmanly. Sadly, doctors ended up spreading germs to new moms that led to puerperel fever and usually death. (of course…no antibiotics yet)

I would take the butter over dirty hands any day.

I am sometimes amazed by the extent of (accurate) scientific knowledge in the 18th century. Take for instance the description of the mechanisms of conception in “Therese Philosophe” which was a pornographic novel, not a medical text. You wouldn’t explain things any differently in a modern sex ed class.

My sense is that this would an unusual reference, indeed. We’re well before germ theory. Which means I really want to try to find it!

Across the midwifery texts that I’ve worked with, there is always a concern a midwife infecting a woman with the sexually transmitted disease of another. Or, of a midwife breaking the hymen during an exam and rendering her unmarry-able. If you’re interested, I can pull up some references for you.