MOTHERS AND MIDWIVES
A history of maternity in the East Midlands
Dates: Friday 13 January - Sunday 15 April 2012
Admission Free
The experience of having a baby has changed dramatically over the last hundred years. It has moved from a social and domestic occurrence, which predominantly took place in the home, to a medical one which usually happens in hospital. The exhibition explores this development through historical and contemporary sources. It looks at reasons behind the change, and the impact that it has had on women, families, midwives and communities. It reveals changing trends in pregnancy, labour and postnatal care, infant feeding and baby care, and the growing involvement of fathers.
The display’s main focus is the experience of maternity in the East Midlands. It explores pregnancy, birth and the early weeks of caring for a new baby through a variety of local sources, including interviews with mothers and retired midwives, photographs, and equipment relating to midwifery and baby care. Historic material from the Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham provides examples from published sources and archives of medical understanding and practice from earlier times.
A series of talks, events and concerts will be held to accompany the exhibition. Places are limited so please book your tickets with the Box Office on 0115 8467777. See the exhibition page at Lakeside Arts Centre for further details.