Childbirth and views on women in the 13/14th century

[NadjaCravensworth]

So am reading Lady of the Rivers (philippa Gregory, yes I know some people think she is not very good) and I have to keep stopping to look up bits that are interesting.

I thought I would see how long "confinement" after childbirth was, and was surprised to read

"Many men of the time believed that the female sexual organs were male organs turned inwards. Women were deemed subordinate to men as their sexual organs had not grown outside of the body and so were not fully formed or developed. In essence, they were inferior versions of men."

Source: www.tudorsociety.com/childbirth-in-medieval-and-tudor-times-by-sarah-bryson/

Clearly not the inferior part, but had not read that about the sexual organs before

(I didn't find out how long confinement was as was distracted)

The Rest is History have an episode on the history of childbirth - I haven't listened to it but it might answer your question or give good resources.

I know that the churching of women was the first time women were supposed to leave the house after birth - so literally the end if the confinement i think. But I don't know when this was! A vague memory that it might have been a month after? Not sure.