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Midwifery in Mainz in the early modern period

A new JGU project is making sources on midwifery accessible.

Giving birth with midwives
Midwife with woman giving birth in a birthing chair, woodcut 16th century.

As part of the project "Mainz Models for Digitally Enhanced Teaching and Learning," funded by the Foundation "Innovation in University Teaching," students from the History Department at Johannes Gutenberg University, led by Prof. Dr. Bettina Braun, reviewed sources on midwifery in the city archives and compiled a selection in an online edition, so that these texts can now be easily accessed via the city archives website.

Mainz nurse's oath, 1654

This project was presented at the Mainz City Archives on February 18, 2025. At the event, the students presented their project, reported on the many steps involved, from deciphering the texts to the digital edition, and at the same time provided insight into obstetrics and midwifery in Mainz in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Further information on the online edition: Midwifery in Mainz in the early modern period

www.hebammenwesen-mainz.net (opens in a new tab)

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