I read (in What To Expect, maybe) that until the 50s or so, doctors generally would not give pain relief during childbirth. Not so much because of concern over side effects, etc. but for reasons as above.
Painful childbirth was seen as a divine curse upon womankind—a punishment for Eve’s role in the Original Sin. Therefore ameliorating said pain would be immoral.
I read (in What To Expect, maybe) that until the 50s or so, doctors generally would not give pain relief during childbirth. Not so much because of concern over side effects, etc. but for reasons as above.
Painful childbirth was seen as a divine curse upon womankind—a punishment for Eve’s role in the Original Sin. Therefore ameliorating said pain would be immoral.
Ugh.