| "Catching Babies" |
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| Amazing women who faced all elements to help people. Learn about the Midwife |
Click Here for some more info about midwives in Newfoundland (c) Memorial University of Newfoundland |
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| For more information about Midwives in Melrose Click here to view (c) Chantal A. Ducey, 2005 Included is a quick (but interesting) interveiw I conducted with my grandmother. It is through her that I leanred of Melrose's midwives. Does your grandparents have any stories about midwives? Perhaps your great grandmother was midwife? |
| Melrose has a rich history involving women who "caught" (delivered) babies and who treated illnesses when hospitals and doctors were nowhere to be found. Melrose midwives had limited tools and medical supplies, yet always found a way to protect the baby and mother. The role of the midiwfe was to ensure the survival of the mother and baby. Due to limited technologies at the time and in the area, midiwves woudl invent their own unique ways to help people. Putting a baby in a shoebox near the shove proved to be a great incubator. These women were more than midwives, they acted as doctors, nurses, inventors, teachers, but more importantly, they were people's friends. Not only did they care for people's health, but they would help clean and cook for a sick patient. Come back for more info on Cottage Hospitals, Homemade Medicines and folk beliefs about health. |
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Did you know? Not only did midwives help humans,but they also helped animals. If a cow or horse was sick, the midwife would be called over to help. |