The Caesarean Frontier

Jan 14, 2025

On January 14, 1794, Dr. Jesse Bennett faced incredible odds as he performed a life-saving C-section on his wife in a log cabin. The episode dives into the moral dilemmas frontier doctors confronted and the societal stigma around surgery at the time. It also reveals earlier successful cases of caesareans, tracing the procedure's evolution from its perilous beginnings to the modern day. Myths surrounding cesarean sections, including those linked to Julius Caesar, are unraveled, showcasing a rich history filled with surprising twists.

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ANECDOTE

First Successful Cesarean?

Dr. Jesse Bennett performed a C-section on his wife, Elizabeth, in 1794.
This groundbreaking surgery, done in their log cabin, saved both Elizabeth and their daughter Maria.

INSIGHT

Cesarean History

C-sections were historically a last resort, performed only when the mother's life was in danger.
The attending physician refused to perform the C-section, leaving Jesse to act.

ANECDOTE

Ovary Removal

After the C-section, Jesse Bennett also removed his wife's ovaries.
He did this to prevent future difficult pregnancies, using linen thread for sutures.

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24-year-old doctor Jesse Bennett successfully performed a C-section on his wife, Elizabeth, saving both her life and their daughter Maria's: 14th January, 1794, in a log cabin on the Virginia Frontier.

The attending physician's refusal to participate, leaving the scene altogether, left Bennett to make quick decisions - though this included spontaneously removing his wife's ovaries.

The groundbreaking operation remained a local legend for nearly a century, as he never publicly reported it due to concerns about disbelief and the delicacy of the matter.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why, despite the success of this operation, C-sections still weren’t routinely performed until over a century later; investigate whether earlier examples of successful caesareans had happened in Africa; and consider whether pig-spaying was an appropriate qualification for midwifery…