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The midwife: medical professional, friend in a woman's hour of greatest need, potent social and cultural symbol. Though the role of midwife has existed since time immemorial, it is only since the Victorian era that it has been a recognised and regulated profession. This book, from social history expert Susan Cohen, looks at midwifery in Britain from ancient times up to the present, paying particular attention to its incredible medical and social advances of the last 150 years. It is a fully illustrated tour that takes in fictional midwives such as Dickens' Sarey Gamp, the founding of the Royal College of Midwives in 1881, the Second World War, the forming of the NHS and the Central Midwives Board, and looks at the increasing medicalisation of childbirth and the countervailing trend for giving birth at home.
We offer free standard UK delivery on all orders over £50.
Please note: Orders placed after midday 19 December 2025 and until 4 January 2026 (inclusive) will be processed and despatched from the week beginning 5 January 2026.
Christmas delivery: Last recommended order date for UK orders is 12 December 2025. The last recommended order date for international orders is 17 November 2025.
Due to the EU Regulation 2023/988 (GPSR) we are currently unable to accept any orders for delivery to EU member countries, Switzerland and Northern Ireland. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Orders up to £30 are charged a flat fee of £4.95
Orders between £30.01 and £50 are charged a flat fee of £6.95.
Usual UK delivery timescale (excluding custom prints) is between 5 and 7 working days from the date of dispatch. Please allow up to 14 working days for delivery. For custom print delivery pricing and timescales see below. These timescales may vary especially when we have online sales and in the weeks before Christmas.
Delivery Worldwide
We can ship to selected countries worldwide.
For full details, including prices, click here.
Custom Prints
Your prints and frames will be handmade by King & McGaw at their Sussex workshop.
Unframed orders are shipped within 5 working days (normally shipped next day).
Framed orders are shipped within 20 working days.
Further information on delivery timescales for custom prints can be found here.
If you are not completely satisfied with your item you may return it within 28 days for a refund.
For further details on returns click here.
Unfortunately we cannot offer a refund on custom prints unless they are faulty or we have made a mistake. Custom prints are exempt as they are made to order.
Publisher: Shire
Binding: Paperback
Author: Susan Cohen
SKU: 9780747815075
The midwife: medical professional, friend in a woman's hour of greatest need, potent social and cultural symbol. Though the role of midwife has existed since time immemorial, it is only since the Victorian era that it has been a recognised and regulated profession. This book, from social history expert Susan Cohen, looks at midwifery in Britain from ancient times up to the present, paying particular attention to its incredible medical and social advances of the last 150 years. It is a fully illustrated tour that takes in fictional midwives such as Dickens' Sarey Gamp, the founding of the Royal College of Midwives in 1881, the Second World War, the forming of the NHS and the Central Midwives Board, and looks at the increasing medicalisation of childbirth and the countervailing trend for giving birth at home.
We offer free standard UK delivery on all orders over £50.
Please note: Orders placed after midday 19 December 2025 and until 4 January 2026 (inclusive) will be processed and despatched from the week beginning 5 January 2026.
Christmas delivery: Last recommended order date for UK orders is 12 December 2025. The last recommended order date for international orders is 17 November 2025.
Due to the EU Regulation 2023/988 (GPSR) we are currently unable to accept any orders for delivery to EU member countries, Switzerland and Northern Ireland. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Orders up to £30 are charged a flat fee of £4.95
Orders between £30.01 and £50 are charged a flat fee of £6.95.
Usual UK delivery timescale (excluding custom prints) is between 5 and 7 working days from the date of dispatch. Please allow up to 14 working days for delivery. For custom print delivery pricing and timescales see below. These timescales may vary especially when we have online sales and in the weeks before Christmas.
Delivery Worldwide
We can ship to selected countries worldwide.
For full details, including prices, click here.
Custom Prints
Your prints and frames will be handmade by King & McGaw at their Sussex workshop.
Unframed orders are shipped within 5 working days (normally shipped next day).
Framed orders are shipped within 20 working days.
Further information on delivery timescales for custom prints can be found here.
If you are not completely satisfied with your item you may return it within 28 days for a refund.
For further details on returns click here.
Unfortunately we cannot offer a refund on custom prints unless they are faulty or we have made a mistake. Custom prints are exempt as they are made to order.
