History of Science 2151F/G Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Soranus Of Ephesus, Obstructed Labour, Fetus
22 Apr 2016
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3 main reasons due to abnormalities of: 1) the mother (e. g. small pelvis), 2) the uterus (opening is too small), 3) the fetus (e. g. head is too large or abnormal position (fig 31) The second best is if the feet are first (reverse of the head position). Next if a leg is sticking out, the midwife can gently push it back in and reposition it. The hardest position is if the fetus is in a transverse position. According to a figure, a woman usually gives birth on a birthing stool. Soranus (100 ad) wrote a textbook on gynecology, which first documented the tasks and expectations of a midwife. There were no female physicians in antiquity: it was in soranus" times where midwives became a profession that required education and training. Maintains her hands are those are her tools (similar to hippocratic physicians who must keep their tools in a usable condition as well)
