The interference of political and religious leaders in the lives of women and the practice of midwives during the Colonial period strongly impacted the health and welfare of women, children, and families through limitations in freedom of speech and religious and personal expression. The well-documented case of Anne Hutchinson-- midwife, religious leader, and heretic—illustrates two situations in which Colonial religious and political leaders exploited women who had poor obstetrical outcomes. After being banished from the Massachusetts colony for heresy, Anne Hutchinson was delivered of what was described as the first recorded Colonial hydatidiform molar pregnancy (NEJM, 1959). The description of these 28 vesicles was first announced publicly during a religious meeting, and later recorded in Governor Winthrop’s diaries after a physician/preacher was summoned to gather a complete account of the delivery. Mary Dyer, a friend and follower of Anne Hutchinson was persecuted following her delivery of a stillborn child, rumored to be a ‘monster-baby’ (probable anencephalic). Again, this obstetrical event was publicly decried and offered as proof of religious heresy and/or witchcraft. In both cases, Governor Winthrop colluded with religious leaders in an attempt to directly control the expression of religion and indirectly control women’s health practices. In advocating for childbearing women and families, today’s midwives and childbirth activists have leaders like Anne Hutchinson to thank for instilling an early foundation for a fundamental reproductive and maternal and child health doctrine – that of protection of the right to express individual beliefs.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: Discuss ways in which the interference by political and religious leaders in the lives of women and the practice of midwives affected the health of women and families of the Colonial period through limitations in freedom of speech and religious expression. Describe at least two situations in which religious and political leaders in Colonial America exploited women with poor obstetrical outcomes, and subsequently associated them with witchcraft. Recognize and discuss ways in which the work of Colonial leaders like Anne Hutchinson may have influenced modern-day midwifery and women’s health practice
Keywords: Midwifery, History
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.