Reproduction and Its Discontents in Mexico : Childbirth and Contraception From 1750 to 1905

In this history of childbirth and contraception in Mexico, Nora E. Jaffary chronicles colonial and nineteenth-century beliefs and practices surrounding conception, pregnancy and its prevention, and birth. Tracking Mexico's transition from colony to nation, Jaffary demonstrates the central role of reproduction in ideas about female sexuality and virtue, the development of modern Mexico, and the growth of modern medicine in the Latin American context. The story encompasses networks of people in all parts of society, from state and medical authorities to mothers and midwives, husbands and lovers, employers and neighbors. Jaffary focuses on key topics including virginity, conception, contraception and abortion, infanticide, "monstrous" births, and obstetrical medicine. Her approach yields surprising insights into the emergence of modernity in Mexico. Over the course of the nineteenth century, for example, expectations of idealized womanhood and female sexual virtue gained rather than lost importance. In addition, rather than being obliterated by European medical practice, features of pre-Columbian obstetrical knowledge, especially of abortifacients, circulated among the Mexican public throughout the period under study. Jaffary details how, across time, localized contexts shaped the changing history of reproduction, contraception, and maternity. Title Page 3 Copyright 4 Dedication 5 Contents 6 List of Figures and Tables 8 Abbreviations for Archival Sources in the Notes, Appendixes, and Tables 10 Preface 12 Acknowledgments 15 Introduction: Midwifery, Monstrosity, and Motherhood 18 Part I: Purity and Productivity: Understanding Virginity, Conception, and Pregnancy 37 1: The Evolution of Virginity 38 2: Conception and Pregnancy 67 Part II: The Hidden History of Contraception, Abortion, and Infanticide 107 3: Contraception and Abortion 108 4: Infanticide 141 Part III: Populating the Patria 182 5: Monstrous Births 183 6: Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Birth 224 Conclusion: Change and Constancy in Mexico’s Reproductive History 268 Appendix I. Abortion Cases, 1823–1884 277 Appendix II. Infanticide Cases, 1823–1897 280 Glossary 286 Notes 288 Bibliography 324 Index 343 Introduction: Midwifery, Monstrosity, And Motherhood -- Purity And Productivity: Perceiving Virginity, Conception, And Pregnancy -- The Evolution Of Virginity -- Conception And Pregnancy -- The Hidden History Of Contraception, Abortion, And Infanticide -- Contraception And Abortion -- Infanticide -- Populating The Patria -- Monstrous Births -- Obstetrics, Gynecology, And Birth -- Conclusion: Change And Constancy In Mexico's Reproductive History -- Appendix I. Abortion Cases, 1823-1884 -- Appendix Ii. Infanticide Cases, 1823-1897. Nora E. Jaffary. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "In this history of childbirth and contraception in Mexico, Nora E. Jaffary chronicles colonial and nineteenth-century beliefs and practices surrounding conception, pregnancy and its prevention, and birth. Tracking Mexico's transition from colony to nation, Jaffary demonstrates the central role of reproduction in ideas about female sexuality and virtue, the development of modern Mexico, and the growth of modern medicine in the Latin American context."--Page 4 de la couverture Chronicles colonial and nineteenth-century beliefs and practices surrounding conception, pregnancy and its prevention, and birth. Tracking Mexico’s transition from colony to nation, Nora E. Jaffary demonstrates the central role of reproduction in ideas about female sexuality and virtue, the development of modern Mexico, and the growth of modern medicine in the Latin American context.