Welcome to this EPIC episode where I invited Julia Martins to the show to talk about the history of childbirth. Julia is in her final-year PhD at King’s College London. Her thesis is about the translation of “secrets of women” from Italian into French and English in the 16th and 17th centuries, and how the circulation of knowledge about sex and reproduction shaped the way the sexed body was understood.
In this episode find out what recipe books have to do with childbirth, what traditions from the past are still practised in childbirth today, what a gossip is and a whole bunch of superstitions and old wives' tales.
We also chat about giving birth as a Royal, about midwives through history, moon cycles and what exactly are the secrets of women?
If you love history and birth this episode is the perfect combo - Julia was such a fabulous guest to have on the show and her knowledge is inspiring! I can not thank her enough for chatting with me and we easily could have talked for much longer than we did!
Take a long drive, take a long hot bath or just have a laydown and push play - you'll love this one as much as I do!
Show Notes:
Explore Julias Website: Secrets of Women
Hop on Julias Wonderful Newsletter: HERE
Follow Julia on Twitter HERE
Being Human Festival
Hilary Mantel - Royal Bodies Essay
Birth Undisturbed - Royal Blood by Natalie Lennard