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BIRTHS

During this period, like so many topics relating to the human body, pregnancy and the birth of a child were shrouded in a cloak of euphemisms. The woman was never pregnant; she was “in the family way.” It was never “how long before the baby is due?” it was “how long will she be confined?”

Most of the births took place at home and were often not attended by a physician. Instead, most communities had a self-proclaimed midwife who was called in to assist the delivery.

Immediately after the birth, the newborn was washed, warmly blanketed and placed in a crib. Many times the crib