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Why did so many women die giving childbirth in ancient Rome?

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Their death rates were about the same as in any culture from prehistory up until the late 19th century: probably about a third of all women died in childbirth (not necessarily in their first childbirth). Yes, that's appalling. read more

Yes, that’s appalling. Mostly the reasons were pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure), the baby getting stuck on the way out, hemorrhaging, or infections (so that many women died a week or two after giving birth). Babies’ heads are big; the opening is small. read more

Many family portraits attest to the love and devotion that bound together the members of a family. There was enormous social pressure to get pregnant, and the risks associated with childbirth must have been very frightening for many, but most women really did want to be mothers. PREGNANCY: Ancient Egyptians were fully aware of the male role in pregnancy but they lacked the detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology to explain why one woman could get pregnant and another could not. read more

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