This film traces the history of midwifery in America, describing its prominent role in colonial times, and its gradual restriction through professional standardisation. It also shows the process through which midwifery has regained acceptance and the film emphasises the view that pregnancy is not an illness and childbirth is not a surgical operation. Narrated by Mariette Hartley.
Content notification
Our collection comprises over 40,000 moving image works, acquired and catalogued between the 1940s and early 2000s. As a result, some items may reflect outdated, offensive and possibly harmful views and opinions. ACMI is working to identify and redress such usages.
Learn more about our collection and our collection policy here. If you come across harmful content on our website that you would like to report, let us know.
How to watch
This work has not been digitised and is currently unavailable to view online. It may be possible for approved reseachers to view onsite at .
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
016236
Language
English
Subject categories
Documentary → Documentary films - United States
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Childbirth
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Childbirth at home
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Labor (Obstetrics)
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Maternity nursing
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Obstetrics
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Pregnancy
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Women - Health and hygiene
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Women's health services
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)