The English midwife enlarged containing directions to midwives; wherein is laid down whatever is most requisite for the safe practising her art. Also instructions for women in their conceiving, bearing and nursing of children. With two new treatises, one of the cure of diseases and symptoms happening to women before and after child-birth. And another of the diseases, &c. of little children, and the conditions necessary to be considered in the choice of their nurses and milk. The whole fitted for the meanest capacities. Illustrated with near 40 copper-cuts.

SECT. IX. Of the Fashions, and Figures of the birth, and how Children are born or may be born.

THE postures of the infant in the womb are generally four: First, they offer to come with their heads forward (which is the natural birth.) Secondly, with the feet for∣wards. Thirdly, overthwart. Fourthly, doubled; to all which the Midwives care and skill is required, but especially in the three later. But many other postures have been ob∣served, in practice; for that child that comes with his head forward, sometimes hath his head right, as to the orifice of the matrix, but the rest of the body crooked, and sometimes overthwart: and sometimes the infant pitch∣eth his head, either in the former part from the orifice, or backward, or comes crooked; and sometimes also it is whithout any tye, as to the bottom of the matrix, and sometimes with it; sometimes also it puts forth one hand, or both, so as that they are twisted above the head: sometimes it cometh forward, with its

feet asunder, and those fixed in the parts of the womb; sometimes the feet being doubled, it endeavours to come forth with the knees forward; sometimes it is so doubled, that it shews forth its little buttocks like one that is sitting; or contrarily may be so doubled, that you may find the soles of the feet joyned to the head in the orifice of the matrix; but those that lye o'rethwart, somtimes lye on one side, and sometimes with the face upwards, and somtimes downwards: But if there be twins, then that which presenteth it self fair∣rest, must be laid hold on, and the other put back. As to all which, the next following Sections will not only furnish you with fi∣gures, but with directions. Hitherto having described the Midwife and her office, togeth∣er with the site of the infant in the womb, as natural; together with difficult births in ge∣neral, and their causes. It is reasonable, (good Mrs. Eutrapelia) that we discourse of unnatu∣ral births, because those bring the greatest danger with them, both to the mother and infant.