The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of the Rare family. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing and a kitchen filled with herbs and folk remedies. During the turbulent first years of World War I, Dora becomes the midwife’s apprentice. Together, … Together, they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives.
But when Gilbert Thomas, a brash medical doctor, comes to Scots Bay with promises of fast, painless childbirth, some of the women begin to question Miss Babineau’s methods—and after Miss Babineau’s death, Dora is left to carry on alone. In the face of fierce opposition, she must summon all of her strength to protect the birthing traditions and wisdom that have been passed down to her.
Filled with details that are as compelling as they are surprising—childbirth in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the prescribing of vibratory treatments to cure hysteria and a mysterious elixir called Beaver Brew—Ami McKay has created an arresting and unforgettable portrait of the struggles that women faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.
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Loved reading about this young girl and her development into adult hood. The tales of life in a far flung town in eastern Canada was fascinating to me.
What a glimpse into history! Women’s issues were, I know, marginalized in medicine and in life in that time – especially in the country/non-urban areas. There were indeed physicians who were taught that women were “hysterical.” Bah! This is a very believable glimpse of how women coped, and how they helped each other. I enjoyed it, although …
Amazing to realize how far women have come in under 100 years.
Interesting tale. It is frustrating to read about times when baby delivery was snatched out of the hands of women, who had been delivering babies for centuries, by men who “knew how to do it better”.
It was great ! I learned when the push to go to doctors started. I loved the central characters who were educated compassionate strong women.
Interesting read. For those who enjoy the benefits of modern medicine, it raises questions related to a male-based society making choices about women’s health without complete regard or understanding for them.
I usually read mysteries and suspense but I loved this book. Wonderful characters and very interesting.
Very interesting for those in healthcare, from a historical perspective
I found this book an interesting novel of the women’s movement in the first half of the 1900’s.
I liked the sense of place that the author created. I appreciated the historical backdrop, and thought the characters suited their antique atmosphere. I especially liked the themes of childbirth, and seeing how the heroine grew into her calling through the character of the elder reclusive midwife. The romance fitted the story, but I …
A Midwife’s life story of being needed and respected by a community. But not accepted by the same community socially.
This was a side of Midwifery that I had never really read about. The life of midwifes and the way society looked at them in the previous 75 yrs. Very real in depicting rural life before women’s rights, health care,relationships, I enjoyed reading this book as the characters unfolded and how they decided to live their lives!
This book was very hard to put down! It has wonderful and richly explored female characters. A tribute to the strength of women and a confirmation that modern medicine, when it comes to childbearing is not always best.
The author masterfully developed the flavor of the area, character of the people and the changing times. The most enjoyable book I’ve read lately. Highly recommended.
Good book
Loved it. ML
I LOVED this book!! I Tend to read while I am at the gym on the treadmill. The time passes quickly. I did not want this book to end. Totally recommend!!
I enjoyed this book very much.
The Birth House kept me captivated by the methods and beliefs of midwives before ob/gyns came on the scene. It also added historical fiction which always seems to make a better story.
Good read – especially for $1.99 on bookbub.com