Childbirth Flashcards
Where did childbirth take place?
In the home- it was almost exclusively handled by women.
Why would Greek families have been small?
Not all children survived, and some were rejected by the husbands after birth (during exposure). Women would have an average of 5 or 6 births.
How was the birth announced to the community?
If the baby was a girl, a tuft of wool was put on the door and if it was a boy then an olive-crown was.
What would happen after the birth?
The maia (midwife) would take care of the women and baby for a few days and they had to organise the exposure.
Why would the husband reject the baby?
Wrong sex, deformed, illegitimate, unhealthy or too great a burden.
What would happen if the baby was rejected by the husband?
It was put in a clay pot or jar and deserted outside the front door or a roadway. This meant that the parents would not be responsible for the death, since it would die of a natural cause.
What would happen if the husband accepted the baby?
It was celebrated. The woman would visit the shrine of one of the birth goddesses to thank her for the delivery and days after birth if it was a boy it would be introduced to the phratry.
What would happen on the 10th day after birth?
The family celebrates again because it is ‘name day’ for the child. Gifts are received and the whole family is present. A sacrifice would be made, followed by a feast and lastly the naming of the child.
