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Home » The Domestic Sphere » Childhood and childcare » Childbirth

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  • This essay was written by Dr Richard Williams, a surgeon in Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth and its full title reads 'Observations on parturition amongst the poor in the upper district of Cardiganshire'. Dr Williams begins his essay by giving a brief account of the history of Wales and the county of Cardiganshire before going on describe, in fascinating detail, not only the ways in which women gave birth but also their courting habits and living conditions. He is very critical of the moral standards of the peasantry but is more tolerant of some of their customs. Further background information on Dr Richard Williams, as well as a full transcript of the essay, is provided in Emyr Wyn Jones, 'Medical Glimpse of Early Nineteenth Century Cardiganshire, 'National Library of Wales Journal' (1966), pp. 253-275. The first page reads as follows:
An essay on childbirth amongst the poor of north Cardiganshire, c. 1837, folio 1r [image 1 of 23]
  • Female inmates frequently gave birth within the confines of the County Gaol. Ann Evans ('vagrant') is here described as suffering from 'child bed fever'.
Journal kept by the Surgeon of the County Gaol, Haverfordwest, 5 June - 1 July 1821 [image 7 of 147]
  • Female inmates who had recently given birth and were still suckling their babies were often exempt from hard physical labour. Here the surgeon orders that 'No Woman that is suckling to be work'd on the Wheel' (i.e. prison treadmill). The County Gaol at Haverfordwest was one of the first provincial prisons within Wales to install a treadmill. A corn-grinding 'mill' was installed at the prison some date before August 1823. The mill was designed and built by Sir William Cubitt, who had installed similar mills in twelve other British prisons. The treadmill provided work for up to 64 prisoners, men and women. Source: Michael Freeman, 'Haverfordwest Castle, 1577-1964' in Dilllwyn Miles (ed.), 'A History of the Town and County of Haverfordwest' (Llandysul, 1999).
Journal kept by the Surgeon of the County Gaol, Haverfordwest, 8 June 1823 - 23 November 1823 [image 25 of 147]
  • One female inmate, Margaret Barnett, was noted, in March 1828, as being confined to her 'child bed'. Female inmates often gave birth whilst serving their prison sentences and were usually entitled to extra food as a result.
Journal kept by the Surgeon of the County Gaol, Haverfordwest, 4 February 1828 - 14 March 1828 [image 69 of 147]
  • Charlotte Havard, who was confined to her 'child bed', was prescribed 'any nourishment she can take'.
Journal kept by the Surgeon of the County Gaol, Haverfordwest, 19 February 1829 - 15 April 1829 [image 83 of 147]
  • Elizabeth Reynolds, who had recently given birth to a 'bastard' child and was therefore diagnosed as suffering 'debility from child birth', was prescribed additional rations of food (mutton broth, ale, white bread, tea and sugar).
Journal kept by the Surgeon of the County Gaol, Haverfordwest, 16 October 1829 - 25 December 1829 [image 89 of 147]