Martha Ballard
Real midwife in the late 1700s who delivered more than 1,000 babies without ever losing a mother.
Best podcasts with Martha Ballard
Ranked by the Snipd community
Jan 18, 2024 • 9min
'The Frozen River' tells the fictionalized story of a real 18th century midwife
Author Ariel Lawhon discusses her book 'The Frozen River,' based on the life of 18th-century midwife Martha Ballard, who delivered over 1,000 babies without losing a mother. They explore the role of midwives, the importance of mature women as heroines, and debunk myths of the era including prevalence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
