A midwife is a type of medicine woman who helps during labor.[1]
Culture
[edit]The Old Way allowed the ironborn to capture men and women on their raids, bringing them back to the Iron Islands, where the older ones were made into scullions, cooks, seamstresses, weavers, or midwives.[2]
While the nobles have access to maesters, commoners usually do not, as they instead rely on common healers[3] and midwives.[1]
A godswife is a priestess of the Great Shepherd of Lhazar who also act as healers and midwives.[4] Woods witches are a type of medicine woman in Westeros who can serve as midwives.[5]
The Orphans of the Greenblood are said to have great knowledge of the healing arts, curing warts, and producing the best midwives. For instance, Garin's mother is said to have been the best midwife in Westeros.[6]
Merry Midwife is an old cog whose figurehead shows a laughing woman holding an infant by one foot.[7]
History
[edit]In 44 AC, Queen Alys Harroway went into premature labor, giving birth to a severely-deformed stillborn child, which prompted the furious King Maegor I Targaryen to blame everyone who had assisted in the delivery, thus ordering the executions of lord Lucas Harroway, her septas and midwives, and Grand Maester Desmond.[8][9]
In 54 AC, Rogar Baratheon's pregnant wife, Lady Alyssa Velaryon, fell ill, and went into labor a month early, so Maester Kyrie, a midwife, and three bedmaids attended to her, but could only relieve her pain, and later cut her open to save his child, Jocelyn Baratheon.[10]
During the birth of Joffrey Baratheon, his uncle Ser Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard refused to leave the birthing room, defying the maesters and midwives who wanted to keep him out.[11]
Recent Events
[edit]A Game of Thrones
[edit]Once Mirri Maz Duur, a Lhazareen godswife, comes into her service, Daenerys Targaryen asks Mirri to be her midwife when she goes into labor.[4] When Daenerys's labor pains start during a ritual of bloodmagic to heal Khal Drogo, Irri reminds her that Mirri is a midwife, so Ser Jorah Mormont takes Dany into Mirri's tent, unaware that Mirri Maz Duur has forbidden anyone from entering.[12]
A Storm of Swords
[edit]Sharna, a midwife,[13] is off delivering Fern's baby in Lambswold when Brienne of Tarth, Jaime Lannister, and Cleos Frey pass through.[14]
A midwife from Mole's Town assists Clydas and Maester Aemon in dealing with those wounded in the attack on Castle Black by Thenns.[1]
During battle beneath the Wall, Dalla, the wife of Mance Rayder, goes into labor, so Jon Snow tasks Val to act as midwife since once cannot be found in the chaos, while he protects Mance's tent.[15] Dalla gave birth to "wildling prince", but died in childbirth.[16]
A Dance with Dragons
[edit]The Merry Midwife takes Davos Seaworth from Sisterton to White Harbor.[7]
Quotes
[edit]A woods witch? Most are harmless creatures. They know a little herb-craft and some midwifery, but elsewise ...[5]
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 57, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 61, Daenerys VII.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 21, The Queenmaker.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 36, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 11, Jaime II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 73, Jon X.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 75, Samwell IV.