Childbirth in ancient Egypt

J R Soc Promot Health. 2004 Nov;124(6):284-6. doi: 10.1177/146642400412400618.

Abstract

Medicine in ancient Egypt was much more advanced than the rest of the Biblical world, especially in trauma surgery. Care at the time of childbirth was however virtually non-existent. There were no trained obstetricians or midwives but a galaxy of gods were at hand. This article traces what we can piece together about pregnancy of childbirth from the evidence we have in tombs and papyri of Egypt.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Delivery, Obstetric / history*
  • Egypt, Ancient
  • Female
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Infant Mortality / history
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Postnatal Care / history
  • Pregnancy