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Archiver > POSEN > 2006-04 > 1145910567


From: "R. Berden" <>
Subject: Re: [POSEN] Polish birthing practices 19th century
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 16:29:27 -0400
References: <91C3269C1DC8D343A886B4C4B25138BB02671B75@A0MAIL01.lewisu.local> <50545.209.225.97.101.1145904596.squirrel@wm.wi.net>


Our family story was Great Grandma gave birth to a couple while working in
the field and one in church. Great Grandpa was listed as a landlord on the
ships manifest and they arrived with two toddlers. One census said she'd had
10 children with 5 living so there's a good possibility the story is true.

The old birthing practice (and I can only tell the US version) was woman
were to stay in bed for 10 days after birth, as it was believed on the 10th
day the intestines went back where they belonged. Too many developed serious
problems from the inactivity and it took time for the Drs to get away from
that practice. Today it seems regardless of the seriousness of the problem,
if at all possible, people are stood up as soon as it's practical to prevent
many problems.

Ruth


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