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81st out of 162 books
—
82 voters
Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank
Making and having babies—what it takes to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and deliver—has mystified women and men for the whole of human history. The birth gurus of ancient times told newlyweds that simultaneous orgasms were necessary for conception and that during pregnancy a woman should drink red wine but not too much and have sex but not too frequently. Over the last one...more
Hardcover, 302 pages
Published
January 11th 2010
by W. W. Norton & Company
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Mar 07, 2010
Eastofoz
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Readers interested in the sometimes frightening history of pregnancy and childbirth
Shelves:
non-fiction
It’s a wonder that women have survived pregnancy and childbirth since way back when and that there are those who have lived to tell the tale because once you’ve read this book you’ll be shaking in your boots if not crossing your legs forever at some of things done in the name of « helping » a woman have a baby.
The book is packed with lots of interesting information starting around medieval times when facts and figures actually started to be recorded about childbirth according to the author. It’...more
The book is packed with lots of interesting information starting around medieval times when facts and figures actually started to be recorded about childbirth according to the author. It’...more
if you like mary roach's books, you should like this. especially in light of the fact that it's actually better than several of mary roach's most recent books. the author examines the history of childbirth & it's no surprise why this is a topic that interested me (hint: i'm pregnant). starting with the biblical tales of eve being punished with pain during delivery because of eating the apple, through the history of puerperal fever & what an embarrassingly long time it took doctors to cat...more
An interesting book and a very quick read on a variety of historical pregnancy and birth topics. I had already heard about some of the topics discussed but it wasn't boring in the least. One of the more engaging aspects of the book was thinking about some of these topics in the context of women and minority rights and class. The use of painkillers and twilight sleep as a woman's right to have the childbirth she wants and have a say in her medical care. The idea that upper class women were too fr...more
1 like · like · see review
Amazingly non-boring non-fiction. It shows us how the way we give birth over the years has been just as much related to the cultural times we live in as any actual medical advances made. The ways women have given birth and the things we've asked for to help us along the way are at times amazing and shocking. The most interesting revelation is in the fact that feminist women have at the same time demanded pain-free birth as well as the freedom to birth without drugs. Speaking once again to the in...more
Dr. Epstein, an obstetrician/gynecologist, has written a well-researched book on the history of childbirth in America. She documents many milestones in OB/GYN across at least three centuries. A few parts of this book were extremely difficult to read. Dr. Epstein describes a 19th century male physician who bought or borrowed female slaves and used them as experimental surgery subjects. Some of these women endured up to 30 surgeries all without anesthesia. He supposedly believed that black women...more
Poorly edited, to the extent of having misused words and typos. But plenty of larger-scale problems too. As another reviewer noted, the chapter on an operation to repair fistulas didn't really explain what the operation does; a chapter on forceps likewise never explained how forceps work. (I mean, I guess I can kind of imagine. But still!) Touched on a number of potentially interesting topics but didn't stay with any of them for long enough. Attempts at humor mostly stiff and weird. The stronges...more
I picked this up because I read a few times that it is comparable to Mary Roach's work, which I really like. And it's about childbirth through the ages, which is weird and interesting. The format is similar to Roach's books, and the style has a similar sense of humor (although not quite as hilarious as Roach). It's a good fit for those who like accessible, cheeky reviews of a wide range of scientific literature, both historic and modern.
I was concerned that a book about women's birth experiences...more
I was concerned that a book about women's birth experiences...more
1 like · like · see review
Pregnancy and childbirth are topics that are bound to bring out some strong opinions and preferences. The ways in which the conversations and debates play out are largely reflections of our sociocultural expectations and hopes, and these in turn are affected by our particular place in history. Epstein takes a journey back in time to explore many trends, advancements, and controversies surrounding pregnancy and childbirth that have helped bring us to where we find ourselves today. Each chapter is...more
This book is super entertaining. (The author is a journalist so it's written for a popular audience.) And this book is crazy. I keep getting up to read parts of it to my husband. It's like, "I can't believe they used to do that!"
I was unsure if it would be a good idea to read this while pregnant, but so far, I think it is. It's not scary; if anything, it makes me glad I'm giving birth in 2011. There's some parts that are a bit horrifying, like the way things used to be done, but I think it's oka...more
I was unsure if it would be a good idea to read this while pregnant, but so far, I think it is. It's not scary; if anything, it makes me glad I'm giving birth in 2011. There's some parts that are a bit horrifying, like the way things used to be done, but I think it's oka...more
Dec 26, 2010
Christie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people interested in medical stuff; people who are not squemish
Shelves:
random-nonfiction
This book was a VERY entertaining read. I imagine there are not many pregnancy and childbirth books that make people laugh out loud, but this one had me rolling on the floor several times. Of course there were still the moments where I scrunched my face up and curled in a fetal position in agony after reading about tearing and other not very fun things women went through back in the day, but for the most part it was quite fun to read.
This book was also very informative. I learned all sorts of t...more
This book was also very informative. I learned all sorts of t...more
3.5 stars
This book is a quicker read than you'd think. I zoned out sometimes while reading some of the less interesting parts, but overall it's an extremely interesting book, and often humorous. For instance, to assist with conception, there used to be a doctor's assistant called an obstetrix, whose job it was to bring a woman to orgasm... then there's the picture of the do-it-yourself forceps and pulley delivery system. The book covers childbirth fads like Twilight Sleep and freebirthing (givin...more
This book is a quicker read than you'd think. I zoned out sometimes while reading some of the less interesting parts, but overall it's an extremely interesting book, and often humorous. For instance, to assist with conception, there used to be a doctor's assistant called an obstetrix, whose job it was to bring a woman to orgasm... then there's the picture of the do-it-yourself forceps and pulley delivery system. The book covers childbirth fads like Twilight Sleep and freebirthing (givin...more
Jun 18, 2010
Emily
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
men, and women who aren't planning a pregnancy anytime in the next decade.
Shelves:
2010
I learned that childbirth is scary. But it used to be scarier.
More accurately subtitled A History of Childbirth in the West (Mostly America), this book is no Bonk The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex or Virgin: The Untouched History. The early chapters are a barrage of facts from history with little elaboration, and I was particularly upset by the chapter describing Dr. J. Marion Sims's experiments on slave women, in which much time is devoted to discussing the many discomforts the women end...more
More accurately subtitled A History of Childbirth in the West (Mostly America), this book is no Bonk The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex or Virgin: The Untouched History. The early chapters are a barrage of facts from history with little elaboration, and I was particularly upset by the chapter describing Dr. J. Marion Sims's experiments on slave women, in which much time is devoted to discussing the many discomforts the women end...more
If you are looking for a book that covers a little bit of history, some medical, some present day topics about pregnancy, labor, and conception, this book is for you. Epstein did a good job covering so many topics. That being said, if you are looking for in-depth coverage on one of the many topics she covers, her bibliography is wonderful. Each chapter (and even sub-chapters) could themselves fill a full length book. This book will keep your interest and hopefully get you to read more about the...more
American European point of view. There is nothing from other countries. I'm sorry, but this is nothing like reading Mary Roach.
I was more interested in the earliest information about childbirth, but that section was very brief (only 50 pages or so). The main topics of the first section were forceps and the use of slave women for experimentation. The rest of the book is about practices during and after the 20th century.
The author has compiled some very interesting dollar amounts for sperm, eggs...more
I was more interested in the earliest information about childbirth, but that section was very brief (only 50 pages or so). The main topics of the first section were forceps and the use of slave women for experimentation. The rest of the book is about practices during and after the 20th century.
The author has compiled some very interesting dollar amounts for sperm, eggs...more
A survey of various childbirth-related topics throughout Western history, from religious views of women deserving the pain to the forceps to artificial insemination. A lot of it is probably not advisable for pregnant women to read; we did some pretty screwy things to both women and infants.
I personally found it too glancing; there's a chapter on Dr. J. Marion Sims, who operated on slave women without anesthesia in order to repair vaginal fistulas. Epstein acknowledges that this was inhumane, but...more
I personally found it too glancing; there's a chapter on Dr. J. Marion Sims, who operated on slave women without anesthesia in order to repair vaginal fistulas. Epstein acknowledges that this was inhumane, but...more
From a neonatal nursing perspective, it was interesting to read about the history of OB and how's it vastly changed from what a woman wants to what a doctor's schedule will allow. As a woman, this book has broadened my ideas/thoughts on what I want my birthing experiences to be like (when I do have kids). Overall I enjoyed Dr. Epstein's style and approach. The beginning history was both horrifying and comical and it was probably my favorite part of the book. The middle was a little dry for me an...more
Maybe the most interesting thing about this book was the fact that medieval midwives offered a lot of the same advice that you get from contemporary midwives: think happy thoughts, go easy on the wine, and don't look at bunnies because that will give your baby a harelip. (Well, I guess they've eased off on that last one.)
Also, although many advances in technology made by doctors have been great, doctors have done some really crap things over the past couple of centuries. For example, refusing t...more
Also, although many advances in technology made by doctors have been great, doctors have done some really crap things over the past couple of centuries. For example, refusing t...more
I really liked this one. It covers a topic per chapter - everything from surrogacy to delivery methods in the 1500 & 1600s and how things have changed and why. It was very thought provoking and made me step back to see which birth ideas I have based on facts and which ones I have because of what was popular at the time I had my kids. I, for one, would never want to give birth at home, but have a greater respect and understanding for those who do now. It has obvious graphic language (the book...more
This book was fascinating.
I recommend NOT reading this book before or during pregnancy but do read it after. Why? The history of obstetrics is pretty freakin' shitty and frightening. The current understanding of human reproduction is a good thing which allows for control that women could only have dreamed about...but the new knowledge is evolving the process into something else...the book is thorough and well researched and the author is a doctor. She didn't cover the pregnant man story...but I...more
I recommend NOT reading this book before or during pregnancy but do read it after. Why? The history of obstetrics is pretty freakin' shitty and frightening. The current understanding of human reproduction is a good thing which allows for control that women could only have dreamed about...but the new knowledge is evolving the process into something else...the book is thorough and well researched and the author is a doctor. She didn't cover the pregnant man story...but I...more
This book is such a pleasant, concise history of science I really question why it's filed and recommended alongside books about how to actually prepare to give birth and birth a baby. There are no tips or tricks, no birth stories, no timelines or guidelines for preparation. There are just many chapters on different trends in birthing, where they came from, and what they meant to society overall as determined by things like increase or decrease maternal mortality rates or postpartum wellbeing. Ep...more
We all know that women used to die by the droves in child birth, some of which was caused by unsanitary conditions unrelated to the perils of the birth process itself. This book is very interesting but not for the faint of heart. Some parts are uggy and made me very glad to live in this enlightened time. Some of the early work done by physicians dealing with the uggy elements experimented on slave women to find "cures" - which made me boiling made. What the h*** w ere these men thinking. Whether...more
This book started off really well for me. I enjoyed Espstein's early coverage of childbirth and what was expected of women. However, I felt that after discussing the medical experiments on slaves, Epsteing quickly shifted to more of a scientific discussion. Not going to lie, I zoned out a bit during that part of the book, but she regained my focus when she started her coverage on sperm banks.
Although it was not what I expected, the book did make me realize how women's rights are still limited,...more
Although it was not what I expected, the book did make me realize how women's rights are still limited,...more
This was an incredibly interesting, if not mildly disturbing overview of the history of childbirth. I would not recommend this book for the faint of heart, or anyone currently pregnant.
What I found most interesting were the parts that discussed how resistant doctors were to accept findings contrary to what suit their needs and how influential health insurance providers were several decades ago. I was appreciative of the stylistic choice to include footnotes at the bottom of the pages, instead o...more
What I found most interesting were the parts that discussed how resistant doctors were to accept findings contrary to what suit their needs and how influential health insurance providers were several decades ago. I was appreciative of the stylistic choice to include footnotes at the bottom of the pages, instead o...more
Making and having babies—what it takes to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and deliver—has mystified women and men for the whole of human history. The birth gurus of ancient times told newlyweds that simultaneous orgasms were necessary for conception and that during pregnancy a woman should drink red wine but not too much and have sex but not too frequently. Over the last one hundred years, depending on the latest prevailing advice, women have taken morphine, practiced Lamaze, relied on ultrasound i...more
This is one of those science/history-lite books that are a breeze to read and that offer TONS to talk about with strangers at dinner parties. Chad called me a masochist for reading it after giving birth, but it kind of made me feel better about my experience compared to the short history of Western birth that Epstein provides. The writing was a little clunky at times and the facts were at times repetitive (perhaps many of the chapters began as individual essays?), but it was interesting. I wish...more
I wanted something other than what I got here. I found the editing abysmal and the anecdotes distracting. There wasn't enough meat, either. For example, in the chapter about the doctor who experimented on slaves until he perfected the technique to repair fistulas, the technique itself is never explained. An oddly disjointed, surface-skimming account. Also, the author calls leeches "bugs", which lost multiple points with me.
There were interesting bits, and I did finish the book, but mostly I kep...more
There were interesting bits, and I did finish the book, but mostly I kep...more
3 likes · like · see review
This book was interesting, funny, and completely worth the time of anyone who has ever been pregnant or espoused to someone who has. I love Epstein's writing style; the first chapter alone had me doubled over in laughter (which is somewhat ironic because labor is usually not exactly a comic event). Lots of great tidbits and historical information. A fascinating study of the attitudes toward pregnancy and childbirth and how they have evolved and are still evolving (is childbirth a natural life ev...more
Randi Hutter Epstein teaches us a great deal about childbirth and how it has been viewed through history. I found her account of the various movements, like Lamaze, twilight sleep, natural childbirth, Grantley Dick-Read, and others to be particularly interesting. Men and women should read it, at least to understand that the way children are born is heavily influenced by culture and opinion.
The book seemed to lack a guiding thread or structure, some central thesis, and I am not sure how sperm ban...more
The book seemed to lack a guiding thread or structure, some central thesis, and I am not sure how sperm ban...more
I wish 3.5 stars were an option.
This book was quite interesting (especially since I'll be going through this in, oh, about seven weeks or so) but it wasn't the page turner I wanted it to be (and yes, I generally find books of this ilk to be page-turners!).
Above all, the writing style left a lot to be desired, and even beyond that there were a LOT of really egregious typos ("threw" instead of "through"? Really?) and I found that to be distracting. I think I wish that it had been written by Mary...more
This book was quite interesting (especially since I'll be going through this in, oh, about seven weeks or so) but it wasn't the page turner I wanted it to be (and yes, I generally find books of this ilk to be page-turners!).
Above all, the writing style left a lot to be desired, and even beyond that there were a LOT of really egregious typos ("threw" instead of "through"? Really?) and I found that to be distracting. I think I wish that it had been written by Mary...more
I read this book because the Fresh Air interview made it sound so great. And I was disappointed. I have read a lot of books on pregnancy and childbirth (Pushed, Born in the USA, Witches Midwives and Nurses, Woman, For Her Own Good, etc.) and was interested in reading this one for the new information I thought I'd get about the early days (the Garden of Eden) and the recent days (the Sperm Bank). I did find the last chapters very interesting with their descriptions of sperm banks and recent repro...more
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Randi Hutter Epstein, MD is a medical writer and adjunct professor at The Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University. She is also the managing editor of the Yale Journal for Humanities in Medicine. She earned a BS from The University of Pennsylvania, MS from the Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University; and an MD from Yale University School of Medicine. Randi worked as a medical...more
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“Whose interest does egg freezing serve? The woman's or that of an ambitious, still pretty unforgiving culture that doesn't really ever see childbearing for female employees as convenient?”
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“He wrote that if great sex were necessary to make babies, humans would be fossils by now.”
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The invention of the do it yourself forceps -O.M.G! And there was...more
Mar 09, 2010 09:48pm
The invention of the do it yourself forceps -O.M.G!...more
Mar 09, 2010 10:07pm