Nowadays there is a lot of talk about how in the old days the life of a pregnant woman and a woman who had recently given birth was arranged. There is an opinion that pregnant women and those who gave birth rode like cheese in butter. Supporters of the so-called natural birth, long breastfeeding and co-sleeping. How were things really?
Alas, none of this happened. Women, as a rule, found out about pregnancy quite late, since the only reliable sign that a woman was pregnant was obvious movement of the fetus. That is, when a woman’s pregnancy stopped, she assumed that she had become “heavy,” but they spoke about the pregnancy only after the fetus began to move.
The fact that pregnant women were supposedly treated with reverence in Rus' is a myth. Pregnancy was often perceived as a hindrance and always as something completely ordinary: just think, I got pregnant, it’s not a bad thing. Pregnancy was not perceived as a sacrament; it was a natural process that cost no more attention than a slight runny nose. In the old days, it was believed that a woman could have a miscarriage only for two reasons: because of sins or “did it,” and not because of hard work, so the pregnant woman did not receive any concessions, she still worked a lot and hard, fulfilling all her duties around the house. As historians testify, a woman often went to give birth, leaving her laundry in the trough or unmixed dough. As for childbirth in the field, which admirers of the natural way of life love to talk about, this is, of course, an illusion that women put the sickle aside, gave birth, and immediately jumped to their feet to continue working - “and nothing,” and that’s all , they say, were healthy and strong. 
Despite the fact that such births were not uncommon, not a single sane woman wanted to give birth in the field. Yes, there were cases of childbirth right in a haystack, but this was not the norm. If the beginning of her homeland found a woman in the field, then she tried to get home so that the birth could take place in more suitable conditions. It was good if there was a cart, they could take it to the hut, however, it happened that a woman who was shaken in the cart gave birth right in it. In other cases, the woman in labor walked home. Those who did not have time to reach home gave birth in the field. Childbirth also happened on the river bank while rinsing clothes, and it happened that women managed to give birth while “shopping” - at a fair.
The birth was attended by a midwife, also known as a midwife. This is a woman who has mastered the art of obstetrics and provides assistance to women in labor. The midwife controlled the entire process of childbirth, which could last several days, if necessary, took measures to correct the position of the fetus, to speed up the birth, swaddled the born baby - midwife, which, in fact, is where the name of these ancient midwives comes from - midwives. By the way, the obligatory postpartum recovery course also included midwifery for the postpartum woman - after two or three days the grandmother took her to the bathhouse, where the steamed woman’s stomach was “fixed” and then for several hours, and if necessary for several days, she was pulled tightly with fabric bandages - this served as a prevention of hernias and uterine prolapse. But swaddling did not always save from this trouble.
How did the actual birth go?
Realizing that the time had come for a woman to give birth, the mother-in-law, mother or another woman in the family sent someone or went for the midwife herself. Again, out of fear that evil spirits could harm the woman in labor, they took a roundabout route and called the grandmother not in direct text, but allegorically: “You should come and see our cow, otherwise you promised, but you won’t.” The midwife's services were valued at approximately ten kopecks, one bread and one pie. If the mother-in-law was stingy and it was not possible to agree on a price, then the woman had to give birth without more or less qualified help.
“The Reaper”, K. Makovsky
The woman in labor was usually taken to a heated bathhouse - the cleanest room in the courtyard. Those who, due to poverty, did not have a bathhouse, gave birth right in the hut. There, in the company of a midwife, the woman in labor went through a period of labor. There were many techniques to speed up labor. The woman usually endured contractions while standing: she was placed in a doorway and forced to hang on a beam or on a rein thrown over a beam. If the process was delayed, then the woman in labor could be led around the table three times, forced to blow into a bottle, overturned on a board (placed on a wide board and abruptly moved from a head down position to an upside down position), forced to climb a ladder to the hay loft and go back down, suddenly doused with a bucket of ice water, or persuaded other women to rush into the bathhouse shouting “We’re burning! Fire!”, while pounding the troughs with rolling pins.
If things were really bad, they would send a priest to serve a prayer service and open the Royal Doors - the latter was considered especially effective. There was no question of any caesarean section for a simple peasant woman. If after childbirth the placenta did not pass well, then the woman’s fingers or her hair were shoved into the woman’s mouth - it was believed that the urge to vomit that occurred during this process contributed to the separation of the placenta. It is not surprising that with such obstetric care in Russia before the revolution, every seventh birth ended in the death of a woman. So the talk that in the old days it was easy to give birth is also nothing more than fiction.
Men were never present at childbirth. The exception was when it was necessary to carry out some manipulations with the woman in labor, for example, lifting her onto a board. Only then could they call the men for help, who, after rendering necessary assistance they left immediately. No one could even think of such a whim as joint childbirth.
The newborn's umbilical cord was tied with linen thread and cut; in some areas it was customary for the midwife to gnaw the umbilical cord. Only city residents could afford to invite a doctor to the birth, provided that they were solvent. Such luxury as childbirth in a maternity hospital was out of the question. The catch is that the very first maternity hospital appeared in Russia in Moscow in 1764 and was intended not for the comfort of women in labor and newborns, but in order to reduce the number of “street” births among walking women, who then usually threw their newborn children into the sewer or landfill. Giving birth in such a maternity hospital was a disgrace for a respectable woman, so in fact, until the beginning of the twentieth century, people gave birth exclusively at home.
The woman was allowed to lie down for three days, after a difficult birth - up to nine days, then she was raised, and the same midwife “paced” her. However, this was only possible in large families where there was someone to replace the woman. In rich families, a woman giving birth was exempt from work for the entire postpartum period - six weeks. If the family lived alone, in their own home, without relatives, then the mother was forced to get up almost an hour after giving birth and begin ordinary household chores. If the birth took place in the summer, then after three days, a maximum of a week, the woman was already going to the field: it was believed that labor contributed to the fastest recovery. Because of this, many women suffered a lot of postpartum complications in the form of hernias, bleeding, and uterine prolapse. The only help they received came from their fellow villagers: for a week or two they went to the mother in labor to congratulate her on the newborn and without fail brought ready-made food with them, which made it possible to somehow ease her housework.
Contrary to popular belief, the baby was not put to the breast immediately after birth. Colostrum was usually expressed - it was considered “bad”, “witch’s milk”, which could bring illness to the baby. Breastfed whenever possible, as the mother's employment allowed. Often a woman would ask a relative or neighbor, who was not so busy with housework, to feed her baby. If conditions allowed, women sought to breastfeed as long as possible, “until the child is ashamed,” but not for the sake of feeding itself, but in order not to get pregnant - according to the results of surveys of peasant women in the 19th century, 80% of women had at least one per day for breastfeeding children, there were no critical days for three to four, and sometimes even seven years. At that time breast-feeding was a fairly reliable method of protection.
Of course, there could be no talk of any kind of culture of sexual relations. According to historians of those times, when, how and how much was always decided by the man. And in this matter, again, the consumer attitude towards women prevailed. Husbands tried to satisfy their lust, completely disregarding the well-being and condition of the woman: neither menstrual periods, nor pregnancy, nor recent childbirth, nor fatigue were a reason to “wait.” He wants - she must. In this situation marital duty often turned into the most common brutal violence. And there was nothing surprising in the fact that often a woman, having barely given birth, after a month or two found herself “bellied” again, and everything was repeated in a circle...
In Russia, until the 18th century, both obstetrics and gynecology were at a lower stage of development than in many other countries, and were not even divided into different branches of medicine. In pagan Rus', pregnant women called on the gods for help, making sacrifices to them, casting spells, and believed in omens and the miraculous power of plants. By the way, the most “strong” amulet was considered to be the overcoming grass. According to some sources, it is a white river water lily, according to others, it is St. John’s wort, and according to others, it is a plant from the genus Euphorbia.
Things were a little better with this when Russia had already adopted Christianity: a pregnant woman could only count on the help of the oldest and most experienced woman in the family or a midwife. This is what the harsh rules of “Domostroy” prescribed: “Healing should be done by God’s mercy, and true repentance, and thanksgiving, and forgiveness, and mercy, and unfeigned love for everyone.” That's all, and no doctors! At the same time, Russian women continued fervently, and the correctness of some of these beliefs, oddly enough, is confirmed by modern medicine to one degree or another.
Grandmother's superstitions
– A pregnant woman should not eat secretly or in a hurry. Based on logic, a pregnant woman will secretly eat if, for example, it can cause an allergy. The same goes for eating in a hurry: food is not subjected to sufficient mechanical processing, which means that nutrients are less absorbed. All this harms the fetus.
– A pregnant woman should not sit cross-legged. Indeed, in this position, blood circulation in the legs is impaired, which can lead to varicose veins.
– A pregnant woman should not raise her arms or sleep on her back. Doctors confirm this in some cases for late pregnancy: there is a risk of premature birth and complications.
– Pregnant women should not wear gold and silver jewelry. Here, medicine does not impose absolute prohibitions, but pregnant women are still prone to swelling, and they should postpone wearing their favorite jewelry “for later.” After all, for many expectant mothers, not only their legs swell, but their arms too.
– Pregnant women should not look at deformities, fires, or be present at scandals, fights, or funerals. You don’t have to be an expert to appreciate the depth of this folk wisdom: negative emotions are completely contraindicated for an expectant mother. She is prescribed psychological comfort. Even pregnant women were strictly forbidden to slander, steal, or get drunk. This prohibition also does not require separate comments.
At the same time, even to this day there are very many that are beyond any reasonable explanation. For example, why shouldn’t a pregnant woman knit, sew and embroider? Or why expectant mother Can’t she take care of the baby’s dowry in advance?
Ivan the Terrible and obstetrics
In every Russian family - from peasant to boyar - there were always many children, childbirth was repeated from year to year, and therefore was not perceived as some kind of extraordinary event. People rejoiced if the addition to the family was successful, and they accepted the loss of a baby with philosophical humility. The state made the first attempt to somehow systematize obstetric care only at the end of the 16th century.
The “Terrible Tsar” did not leave a good memory among the people. Meanwhile, some of his initiatives can be called progressive for their time. Thus, it was under Ivan the Terrible that the Pharmacy Order was created. In fact, it is the first government body that manages the healthcare system, including obstetrics. It was determined that men do not have the right to practice obstetrics, and childbirth must be attended by a midwife or midwife (from “midwife” - to receive a baby). This one did not yet have the necessary education, but was already based on her own knowledge and knowledge accumulated in her family and passed on from generation to generation.
Midwifery Institute
Who could become a midwife? An elderly woman, often a widow, and always with children. An ancient historian writes: “A girl, although elderly, cannot be a midwife. What kind of grandmother is she if she didn’t torture herself? It’s difficult to give birth with her, and the children won’t always survive...” The midwife was invited to all difficult births; she always washed and steamed the woman in labor with the newborn in the bathhouse and looked after them for the first days.
The next breakthrough in obstetrics and gynecology occurred already in the middle of the 18th century. In Russia, they began to produce “midwives with a diploma”: midwifery institutes and midwifery schools were opened. These special educational institutions trained senior and nursing staff in the field of obstetrics. The “midwife” had a higher medical education and was essentially an obstetrician-gynecologist; The “rural midwife” had a secondary medical education. There were also simply “midwives” - students who received correspondence education. Their work was no longer left to chance, but was strictly regulated by a special charter.
The midwife began by dressing the woman in labor in a clean shirt, giving her Epiphany water to drink, and lighting a candle in front of the icons. She strictly made sure that all the knots in the house were untied: from women’s braids to locks on the doors. They say that this way the birth will end faster. Regardless of her professionalism, the midwife provided enormous psychological assistance to the expectant mother, constantly telling her that everything will be fine. She bandaged the newborn with a thread twisted with the mother’s hair - so that the connection between them would remain for life.
Immediately after birth, the midwife performed actions similar to modern baby yoga: she smoothed the baby’s arms, legs, tummy, and “ruled” the baby’s head. If the baby was weak, then the midwife could... send him to the oven. The newborn found himself there three times on a wide wooden shovel in the mildest heat. This was a symbolic action: the baby was, as it were, “baked” so that he would grow healthy and strong.
Not a man's business
Our ancestors could not even dream of something so fashionable now. The husband was instructed to stay away from his wife in labor, but still be within reach. Because if something goes wrong, then it was he who was supposed to pray fervently and go around the house with images.
And only Peter the Great was able to slightly shake the established traditions: during his reign, it finally became possible to allow a male doctor to see a woman in labor. The great reformer did his best to attract European doctors to Russia, issuing a special decree obliging foreigners to train our doctors. And in addition, gifted youth had the opportunity to study abroad, including in medicine. Soon, schools “for medical and surgical practice” were opened in our country, and obstetric education was gradually improved. The first manual “How a woman should support herself during pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth” appeared, the first textbooks for future obstetricians and gynecologists and the first talented Russian scientists. The most famous name of that time was the theorist and practitioner of obstetrics and gynecology Nestor Ambodik-Maksimovich, who was the first in our country to use obstetric forceps. But this is a new page in the history of obstetrics in Russia, which deserves a separate story.
At all times, people treated a pregnant woman, a woman in labor, and a mother with reverence. Just a century ago, families raised many children; pregnancy and childbirth were a desirable and natural event for any woman. A family blessed with children, people believed, would be happy. Every woman aspired to become a mother and to be one in the full sense of the word.
For most of our ancestors, until the middle of the twentieth century, the purpose of life was to fulfill maternal and marital responsibilities as a soul-saving service, to give birth and raise children. Let us remember that only the 20th century gave women a variety of interesting professions and, perhaps, took away the ability to be a mother. Based on the life goal, the attitude towards pregnancy and childbirth was also built.
Traditions associated with pregnancy and childbirth were familiar to every woman and passed on from generation to generation, from mother to daughter. Even before reaching marriageable age, girls became participants in the processes of bearing, giving birth and raising children.
In small towns and villages, families lived in small houses and, willy-nilly, girls saw their mothers give birth. Older children could provide whatever assistance they could: bring water, serve what they needed, look after the younger children. Therefore, entering childbearing age, women had no fear of pregnancy and childbirth and treated them as desirable and natural events. Women in the old days had much less fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth than we do living in the 21st century.
Since the birth of a child is a great mystery of nature, there were many rituals for pregnancy and childbirth. Each nation developed its own customs dedicated to pregnancy and childbirth. We will talk about those that have developed among our people. First of all, it should be noted that the news of pregnancy, despite the large number of families and the complexity of life, brought joy to our great-grandmothers. The expectant mother was protected from hard work, bad news, and quarrels. In her presence it was forbidden to swear or use foul language; she could not be refused to fulfill a request.
How should a pregnant woman behave?
The pregnant woman herself, it was believed, was supposed to lead a pious lifestyle. Inside her, the Lord creates the soul and body of a person, and like no other period in a pregnant woman’s life, it is necessary to take care of her soul, to be loving, merciful, kind, meek, truthful, to improve her spiritual qualities, to work on correcting her vices. The pregnant woman should refrain from irritation, anger, envy, pride, idle talk, anger, fear, despondency in all their manifestations. For all the feelings, thoughts, and actions that fill the mother while she is expecting a child will certainly be passed on to the baby.
There was a popular belief that, for example, if a pregnant woman commits a bad act, then the baby may have birthmarks. A pregnant woman had to pay attention to the beauty of her behavior: move smoothly; watch what is under your feet so as not to stumble; walk carefully. People said that if a pregnant woman chews while walking, the child will be noisy. Pregnant women were strictly prohibited from working in holidays, doing handicrafts. The warning was the belief that if a woman works at the wrong time, the child will become entangled in the umbilical cord during childbirth. At the same time, women did feasible work both around the house and in the field. It was necessary to refrain from laziness and drowsiness, to be cheerful, prompt for any work, so that the child would be hardworking.
It was impossible for a pregnant woman to be too sad, even if someone close to her dies. Her sacred duty is to bear and give birth to a child. Pregnant women were forbidden to go to funerals and cemeteries, so as not to become too emotional and harm the fetus. Superstitions that came to us from pagan times were also widespread among the people. Among them: you cannot hang up laundry, knit, hold a needle in your hands, or cut hair. Superstitions filled women with unreasonable fears. In general, folk traditions that have developed over the centuries have tried to keep pregnant women away from anything that could harm them.
They tried to carry the child under their hearts with prayer. Pregnancy and upcoming birth are events that show the greatness of life. Women turned to the Holy Trinity for help, Mother of God, saints, they tried to read the prayerful sighing of a pregnant woman, they confessed more often and partook of the Holy Sacraments. Before giving birth, it was customary to take a blessing from the priest and serve a prayer service with akathists in honor of the icons of the Mother of God “Feodorovskaya”, “Helper in Childbirth”. Thanks to prayers to these icons of the Mother of God, miracles also happened during childbirth: those who could not be relieved of the burden were resolved, severe labor pains passed, and even bleeding that began during childbirth stopped.
How was the birth?
Village women and many city women did not know special preparations for childbirth; until the last minute they fulfilled their family responsibilities. Very often, rural women gave birth while working: in the field, on the road, at a fair. About the birth of Ukrainian women, contemporaries of our great-great-grandmothers, they say: “Sometimes a woman would come from the field, and in the hem - a child. She reaped the wheat and gave birth. She groaned, gasped, brought the child, she herself used a sickle to cut the umbilical cord.” They also told the following stories: “A woman goes to a fair, she comes with her child. And she bought him a dowry.” Ethnographic researchers noticed that rural women gave birth more easily than urban women, because they themselves worked harder and were in better health.
If the birth took place at home, of course, they tried to invite a midwife or midwife into the house. By the way, professional midwives appeared in Russian lands only in 1797, during the reign of Empress Maria Feodorovna, who founded the Midwifery Institute. Before this, the art of midwifery was passed down from mother to daughter, or midwives had assistants to whom they passed on their secrets. As a rule, midwives were experienced women who had given birth more than once, who assisted in childbirth and knew a lot about it. In addition to the ability to deliver births, the midwife had to have an impeccable reputation, be kind, meek, silent, dexterous, and hardworking.
The midwife came to the house, crossed herself, crossed the threshold and read a prayer, and then got down to business. A lamp glowed in front of the icons, Sretensky and Easter candles were lit, one of the family members read prayers, the Gospel, calling on the Lord for help. During childbirth they asked for help from the holy great martyrs Barbara and Catherine. The midwife directed the woman's actions during childbirth, brewed herbal drinks, made rubbings, supported the perineum, and sprinkled the woman in labor with holy water. Mainly, the midwife had to catch the newborn so that he would not fall or hit himself. During childbirth, a woman was supposed to walk and step over thresholds. The woman in labor was untied and all the knots in her clothes were untied. All the chests and doors in the house were opened, symbolically helping the process of dilation of the cervix. If the birth was delayed or difficult, the midwife asked to go to church and ask the priest to pray for the woman in labor and open the Royal Doors.
In Ukraine, to relieve labor pain, they used decoctions of rye, put warm compresses of salt and flax seeds on the woman in labor, and arranged warm baths of cabbage leaf and onion peels. In Russia, women gave birth in bathhouses, where they were away from view, there was more warmth, and there was less pain in a heated place.
As soon as the child was born, the midwife began to read a prayer, sprinkled Holy water on the child and mother, gave it to the mother, and applied it to the breast. Only then was the baby washed, swaddled, given to the father or placed in a cradle or on the stove. As for the husband’s presence during childbirth, in some regions of Ukraine his participation was welcomed: the husband and his wife moaned, sang prayers, squatted, supported the wife’s back and hips. There are areas where the husband took the children and went to relatives, leaving his wife in the care of the midwife.
The midwife waited for the birth of the placenta, which was called the “place,” and helped tie and cut the umbilical cord. They cut the umbilical cord on the Bible. It also happened that a boy’s umbilical cord was cut with an ax, and a girl’s with a comb; this was associated with the acquisition of worthy male and female children in the future. feminine qualities and skills. The umbilical cord was tied with flax or hemp thread, “so that more children would be born in the family.” The umbilical cord was cut and tied with prayer and wishes for long years, health, and happiness. If the father was nearby, they trusted him to cut the umbilical cord. After the umbilical cord had dried, it was placed between the icons in a chest, preserved until the child’s seventh birthday. Upon reaching seven years of age, the umbilical cord was removed and the child was allowed to untie. If the child coped with the task, he will be savvy and hardworking.
The placenta - “place” or “afterbirth”, “nest” - was buried where the child was born, in the house or in the yard under a young fruit tree.
After childbirth: how it was
For the first three days, the mother held the child in her arms or in a cradle made by the father. The midwife came to the house after childbirth, looked at the condition of the mother and child, helped to wash, bathed the newborn in a font with an infusion of herbs, and brewed herbs for the mother to ease the postpartum period. In the first days after giving birth, the woman rested, and “homelands” were organized, in which female relatives, neighbors, and friends participated. If their help was needed, they helped with the housework and brought treats with them. As a rule, after 3-5 days the mother was already returning to household chores. They tried to baptize the child as soon as possible so that the child could become a full member of the Church of Christ and be protected by the Guardian Angel from evil forces. After forty days after giving birth, the woman came to church, where the rite of purification and introduction into the temple was performed.
This is how people gave birth in the old days. In our time, women have largely lost the ability to give birth to their children in harmony with the nature of the body and nature. Despite the development of civilization, the development and improvement of medical devices, we, living in the 21st century, have lost the skills of having children and are forced to learn them again. In courses to prepare for childbirth, pregnant women learn again the ability to carry out contractions and pushing, breathing during childbirth and much more. Our great-great-grandmothers did not need such courses; the ability to be a mother to your child was passed on from generation to generation, taught by life itself. Perhaps, by studying birth traditions in different cultures, we can expand our skills and knowledge about the most exciting event in the life of a family - the birth of a child?
“Mom needs to be strong. The Spartans believed that only a strong mother will give birth to a strong warrior. By today's standards, if a woman runs at a speed of more than four times her height per second, if from a hang she raises her legs to the horizontal bar 5-10 times in a row and can pull herself up to her chin, then this promises an easier, faster and more painless birth.
It is useful for the expectant mother not only to “walk in the fresh air,” but also to run, swim, and do special gymnastics.”
Is every expectant mother can you do this today? Hardly, considering that today most women have sedentary jobs and lead a sedentary lifestyle.
We consider ourselves advanced and enlightened. Many processes in our lives are almost completely automated and put on stream. We live in an age of technology. And the birth of children is also somewhat similar to assembly line production: from the moment of conception (and in some cases before it), you immediately find yourself in a flow. At first it is a regular visit antenatal clinic, courses for expectant mothers, choosing a clinic for childbirth, clothes for pregnant women, yoga for pregnant women, cosmetics for pregnant women, aqua aerobics and gymnastics for pregnant women, then baby yoga, restorative procedures, etc. - why not a conveyor?
It seems that everything is logical, because pregnancy is a special state of a woman, but why then has it become more difficult for us to give birth?
I. Panov "Waiting". 2005
Today the number, complex and artificial birth, premature babies have increased significantly. And this despite the fact that medicine seems to be moving forward.
Perhaps in this matter it is worth turning to the experience of past generations and taking a step back to understand what is the matter?
As you know, previously almost every family had many children. And it was not three children, like today, but 7, 9, 12 or more children. C-section has not yet been used, like anesthesia and other “auxiliary” means. Women “worked” almost every year, giving birth to a child. And their work was not always made easier. What can we say about maternity leave, benefits, dairy kitchen and affordable baby food. Was all this necessary before?
Motherhood invites us to remember how our great-grandmothers gave birth.
Pain yesterday and today
“A comprehensive survey of peasant women and women engaged in heavy physical work (in Czechoslovakia) showed that in 14% of women childbirth was completely painless, the majority considered the pain “quite tolerable,” and only a few called it severe. When European doctors went to the Indians of North America, they learned that women there were expecting a child with joy and usually childbirth was easy and painless. If we consider that in animals, the birth of young, as a rule, does not cause suffering to mothers, then the conclusion suggests itself: European women are simply told by talking about pain that childbirth is painful.”
From the book by B. P. and L. A. Nikitin “We, our children and grandchildren” (1978-1988)
They say that the decisive influence on the course labor activity and the occurrence of pain is determined by the attitude of the woman in labor, her general mood. The process is also facilitated by the idea that this pain carries good goals. Pain management experts believe that pain that is not considered harmful is easier to bear.
Much has been devoted to the study of pain during childbirth. It is interesting to observe the Indian tribes of North America, where a woman in labor often simply stopped her horse, spread a warm cape right on the snow and calmly gave birth to a child. Then she wrapped the newborn in a rag, mounted her horse again and caught up with her fellow tribesmen, who did not even always notice that she had just given birth. This phenomenon was confirmed during World War II, when women in German forced labor camps walked into the doctor's office immediately after work, gave birth quite easily, and went back to work a few hours later. Scientists explain it this way: within the framework of difficult living conditions and the need to survive in harsh natural conditions, women do not allow themselves to express birth fears and complexes, which ensures an easy pregnancy and a mostly painless birth.
In the 1940s, childbirth is transferred to the hospital, where the woman in labor becomes “sick,” in need not of human warmth and support, but of the precise assistance of a surgeon and anesthesiologist.
How did you give birth before?
In the old days, the birth of a child, despite its apparent simplicity, was surrounded by a mass of customs, signs and rituals. Many of them have found today scientific explanation and quite applicable.
Place for birth
Many people remember stories about peasant women giving birth right in the field, in a barn or in a bathhouse. Mentions of childbirth at home are much less common. This is due to the belief that the place of birth is considered unclean.
It is also interesting to speculate about the reason for the uncleanliness of the maternity place - it is not only a matter of sanitary conditions, but the fact that women could use foul language during contractions and attempts.
The bathhouse was considered the most suitable for childbirth. Before giving birth, her wooden walls and floor were polished white and steamed in a certain sequence to ensure an easy birth.
18th century birth chair
Childbirth position
Devices and chairs for childbirth were invented by doctors more for their own convenience than for the comfort of the woman in labor.
There were no such structures before. The position for childbirth was recommended by the midwife, who acted as a doctor and midwife rolled into one. They say that simple peasant women often gave birth standing or squatting, often holding a bench or other support with their hands. Whereas ladies from high society gave birth lying down.
Other nationalities also have “active” positions during childbirth: in Holland, the bride’s dowry included a special chair for childbirth, ancient Egyptian women gave birth squatting on a special sacred stone, in Japan there were also cases of childbirth while sitting, placing a bunch of straw, some peoples practiced joint birth - on the husband's lap.
How to make childbirth easier
To make the birth process easier, there was a belief - to open everything so that the child could come into this world easier. For this purpose, they opened doors and windows, drawers, stove dampers, untied every knot on the clothes of the woman in labor, and unbraided her hair.
In China, an umbrella was opened next to the woman in labor, and in India she was given a key.
They tried to inform about the birth only to the midwife, without telling strangers about it - they were afraid of the “evil eye”. The midwife sneaked into the house through the gardens so as not to attract attention.
During childbirth, wedding candles were lit in front of the icons.
Sometimes, to relieve tension, the mother in labor was given her own hair to chew. There is a mention of this by M. A. Bulgakov in the story “Notes of a Young Doctor”: “They brought us women in labor three times. The poor woman lies and spits. The whole mouth is full of stubble. There is a sign that the birth will be easier.”
Village “grandmothers” sometimes generously sprinkled the birth canal with sugar so that the child, having felt the sweetness, would be born sooner. In the same place, Bulgakov: “...I come to a woman in labor... Well, of course, I explore, I feel something incomprehensible under my fingers in the birth canal: sometimes crumbly, sometimes pieces... It turns out that it’s refined sugar! ...The healer taught. She says the birth is difficult. The baby does not want to go out into God's light. Therefore, it is necessary to lure him out. So they were luring him out for sweets!”
After giving birth, the mother was not allowed to sleep, because they believed that if she fell asleep, the baby could be replaced by devils.
K. V. Lemokh "New Family Member". 1880s
Newborn
The umbilical cord was usually tied with the mother's hair, as if connecting the mother with the baby. Then the umbilical cord, which had stopped pulsating, was cut.
The midwife performed a prototype of today’s popular baby yoga over the baby: she smoothed the arms, legs, tummy, and “ruled” the head.
If a weak child was born, he was sent to be “baked” in the oven. The fact is that the mother's womb was considered a kind of oven. And if the baby was “not baked”, then he was placed on a shovel three times inside the cooling oven, believing that now he would be stronger and stronger.
Then the baby was washed. This was done in special water, prepared in a special way: using salt, chicken eggs and silver coin: from diseases, to be white and clean, for wealth. At the same time they said: “Grandma did not wash for cunning, not for wisdom, She washed for the sake of good health, She washed away the cleansing place, the tract, the sanctuary ( different types evil eye). The water flows, Anyushka grows, The water goes to the ground, Anyushka goes up.” Afterwards, the water was poured onto the outside of the hut - on the corner where the icons were. They tried to splash higher, because they believed that the baby’s growth depended on this.
Today people turn to osteopaths for help. And before, the grandmother midwife herself did the postpartum massage - she set the spool (in the language of healers this is what the uterus is called), “put it in place” internal organs. It is possible that these manipulations also became the cause of maternal mortality, which, as is known, was high. Modern doctors categorically prohibit any abdominal massage for two months after childbirth.
In various provinces there were traditions of burying it under the wall of a house or under a tree; in some, the father had to bury it and plant a tree in this place. It had to be buried in a special way, observing centuries-old traditions.
Joint birth
They say that joint childbirth is by no means a newfangled novelty. In the old days, if the father was not hunting or on a long journey, he also took part in the process of childbirth: he untied the belt, gave water to his wife, and in case of severe pain, touched her back with his knee. It’s interesting, but today, in order to relieve the load on the spine, they teach the future father in special courses.
A newborn child was wrapped in his father’s shirt - so that “father would love him”, and then in his father’s sheepskin coat - so that he would be rich. At the same time, the shirt was removed directly from the father so that it retained its native smell.
The father himself was treated to porridge with salt and pepper and was told: “It’s salty and bitter to give birth.”
At the same time, the father was not present at births among all ancient peoples. This was not the case, for example, in China and Ancient Rome. There, all household members left the house during the birth.
Baptism
Previously, in Rus', a child was usually born on the ninth day of birth (often earlier). On this day he found his name. If they could not baptize during this period, then they tried not to leave the child unattended for a minute. Until the moment of baptism, all children were called Bogdans. Hence the popular saying: “Born, not baptized, so Bogdashka.”
It was believed that after baptism the baby became healthier. It is also worth mentioning that the baby was dipped into cool water in the font, thereby triggering the body’s protective reactions.
There were their own associated with the sacrament of baptism. For example, it was believed that if a strand of hair floats with a cut off, it means the child will be healthy, if it spins, it’s fortunate, and if it drowns, it’s a bad sign. L.N. Tolstoy mentions this in the novel “War and Peace”: “...The nanny told him that a piece of wax with hairs thrown into the font did not sink, but floated along the font.”
A good sign was the cry of a child when lowered into the font.
The cap was not removed for 12 days after baptism. Baptismal robe they were not used further, but were left for the baptism of other children, so that they would be friendly with each other.
A. Venetsianov "At the harvest. Summer"
After giving birth - immediately to the field?
Of course, according to modern ideas, there was no maternity leave in Rus'. But the idea of what is in the field corresponds rather to the last century, while before the 20th century this was far from the case.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the granddaughter of Vladimir Monomakh, Eupraxia, wrote a treatise on feminine hygiene, which states that a pregnant woman should beware of fatigue, and after the labors of her homeland, it is important for her to rest and keep her body clean - wash in the bathhouse every three days. A nursing mother should be helped in every possible way - freed from hard work and given additional nutrition.
“Failure to comply with this basic hygienic rule can lead to, at the very least, abnormal position of the uterus, causing suffering for the rest of life, not to mention other diseases.” This is a quote from the pre-revolutionary book by V. Zhuk “Mother and Child”.
G. Ploss described in his three-volume book entitled “Woman” approaches to the postpartum period in different nations, where he noted that in the absence of rest for postpartum women “...as a result of leaving bed too early, prolapse and changes in the position of the uterus, vaginal prolapse, etc. develop, which subsequently serve as a constant source of disease and premature frailty.”
Excerpt from V. Berdinsky’s book “Peasant Civilization in Russia”: “...And after giving birth, women in labor are placed on the floor on rye straw, where they lie for a week. During all this time, every day, twice, the bathhouse is warmed up, where she goes in the most tattered clothes with a crutch in her hand, to show that childbirth was not easy for her - to avoid “lessons” that can cause her to get sick. When returning from the bathhouse, you need to lean on the shoulder of the midwife or husband.”
Quote from the brochure “Self-healing and bestial treatment of the Russian old-time population of Siberia”: “For three days, while three baths are given to the woman in labor, she must lie in bed. After three days, depending on the state of her health, her grandmother either leaves her in bed or advises her to “walk around the hut little by little so that the blood does not stagnate.” Others lie in bed until five, even until nine “days”, if there is someone to “walk around the house”... A woman who has given birth for six weeks is considered half dead... That’s how these guys get it! (...) In fact, according to the rule, as the old women used to say, even a cow cannot be milked for six weeks. Only this is done in large families, where there is someone to replace them.”
Postpartum “vacation” is important for a woman’s continued health; it increases the chances of a successful next pregnancy and childbirth.
Women in harsh living conditions, for example during wars, or recently widowed, were forced to go “to the field” almost immediately after giving birth, since someone had to feed the family. Few people know about the consequences of such “early exits.” These women then wore a special sling that passed between the crotch and was tied at the shoulder. This device held the falling internal organs.
In the 80s of the last century, the goal was set in Czechoslovakia to prove the benefits of getting up early after childbirth. The women studied were divided into 2 groups: the first got out of bed 2-4 hours after birth, and the second after 2-3 days. The mothers were looked after by staff. On days 7-9, doctors were surprised to note the fact that in the second group, with longer periods of lying down, women had fewer postpartum complications and felt better physically and emotionally.
But who looked after the young mother after giving birth? Don’t forget about the midwife, who also helped after childbirth: there were a number of traditions according to which a woman was “cleaned and relaxed” and prepared for a new role in her life - mother. Neighbors also helped, coming to help with the housework and bringing ready-made food with them.
As Tatiana Gschwend, a perinatal teacher, writes, everyone tried to pursue a common goal - to help the young woman, support her, and give her the resources for a speedy emotional and physical recovery.
In past centuries, the level of provision medical care was significantly lower than now. Lack of hygiene, frequent epidemics and other disasters also had an impact, often leading to increased maternal and child mortality.
But at the same time, we must admit that in general the level of health, physical strength and the strength of the mothers was quite high. Constant physical activity fresh air and natural products contributed to increasing the body's defenses. Alas, many of us today are deprived of all this, which also affects the course of pregnancy and childbirth.
Let's try to take the best from the experience of our ancestors, without at the same time rejecting the achievements of modern medicine, which our great-grandmothers sometimes lacked!
The birth of a child in Rus' was considered a special sacrament that opened doors between worlds. It, like death, marked the transition of the soul from the transcendental world, unknown to man, into the real, physically tangible.
When a woman felt the approach of childbirth, she secretly read the birthing prayer or wrote it on a piece of paper (if she was literate) and, wrapped in a hat, handed it to the priest at church. None of the outsiders should have known about this, so that nothing bad would happen.
Preparing for childbirth
Usually, during pregnancy, women in Rus' worked a lot, even at later. Physical activity was not only forced (it was necessary to take care of the family), but also desirable. Experienced midwives, mothers and mothers-in-law advised expectant mothers to move a lot. This was considered the key to an easy birth. A woman in Rus' usually worked until the first contractions. As soon as they began, the older women began to prepare the bath and sent for the midwife.
Even in pre-Christian Rus', there was a widespread tradition of saying goodbye to a woman in labor at this moment, because there was a high probability of a fatal outcome of childbirth. Also, Slavic women often gave birth outside the house, somewhere in a field or grove. This was due to the fact that a woman in labor could swear or use foul language in moments of severe pain, and this “polluted” the atmosphere of the house. The most optimal place for the birth of a child was considered to be a bathhouse. In addition, it was possible to give birth in it in the most severe frost.
Before giving birth, the walls of the bathhouse were thoroughly washed from the inside until they were white. Be sure to light candles in front of the icon and read a prayer. A belt (sash) was tied to the flaps, which the woman could hold on to while pushing. The bathhouse was heated hotly to keep the expectant mother and newborn warm. A woman’s braids must be undone, and all the knots on her clothes must be undone. This was necessary for the uterus to open and the mother’s body to release the baby. By analogy with the knots in the house, all the locks, chests, and chests were opened.
Birth
A woman could give birth lying down, but more often it happened squatting or even standing, in a bent position. The woman in labor was positioned with her head towards the washstand. An elderly woman with extensive experience in this field was considered the best midwife. It is extremely important that she herself has healthy children. It's best that it be more boys, because in Russian families the birth of a son was more desirable.
The future father had to remove the boot from the right foot of his wife in labor. Then he should have brought her a tub of clean spring water, and after that untied the belt on her sundress. The husband could be present during the process itself, but many men tried not to disturb their wives or embarrass them. But they were always somewhere nearby, in the adjacent room.
According to ancient custom, a man had to moan and scream during childbirth, as if taking on part of his wife’s pain. At the same time, he attracted the attention of various evil spirits, which have the custom of approaching a woman in labor or a newborn. The man seemed to take the blow upon himself.
The midwife supervised the entire process. She told the woman in labor how to behave, calmed her down and guided her. When the baby was born, she bit the umbilical cord 3 times and spat it over her left shoulder, while reading a conspiracy against umbilical hernia. The boy's umbilical cord was cut at the ax handle so that he would grow up to be a skilled owner. For a girl - on a spindle, so that she becomes a good spinner and needlewoman.
