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Queen Victoria and the Quest for Pain-Free Childbirth
Earlier this week it was the 119th anniversary of the death of Queen Victoria. One hundred and nineteen years later she still commands interest and respect, and her influence continues to be felt in the most diverse aspects of modern life. We usually think of her, however, as a stern, joyless woman who never managed to smile in photographs. Someone who was very, well, Victorian. In many ways, she lived up to this image. But in many other ways she continues to surprise us.
The Queen and her beloved consort, Prince Albert, were enthusiastic advocates of technological and medical advancements. She oversaw and supported an era of immense change. Telegraphs, telephones, bicycles, steam trains, radios, and the light bulb are just some of the revolutionary inventions from the Victorian era.
Surprisingly progressive, she wasn’t afraid to go against medical or even religious opinion when presented with an opportunity to do things a little differently. One of my favourite stories about Queen Victoria is how she embraced a radical new way of giving birth.
Childbirth Before Anesthesia
Childbirth before 1847 was a painful process without any hope of pain relief. More than…
