The Fragility of Life. Knowledge of the fetus and childbirth over 500 years

Knowledge of the art of childbirth – obstetrics – and of reproduction and fetal development increased rapidly from the second half of the 18th century. At that time, research on the development of the human fetus also began to take off. As medical knowledge increased mortality among women giving birth and newborns fell. Slowly at first, then more and more rapidly.

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Exhibition in Haga Tingshus
October 30, 2024 to September 26, 2025

Books and medical illustrations from the Hagströmer Library collections and historical objects from hospitals, educational and research environments in Stockholm show the history of obstetrics and fetal research from the 16th century to the 20th century.