An Early Report of Midwifery in Ancient Persia

Document Type : Conference Paper

Author

Department of History of Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Midwifery, one of the most ancient healthcare professions, is central to the history of medicine and the protection of maternal and neonatal health. Studying its historical trajectory reveals the interplay between cultural beliefs, religious practices, and medical care. This research examines maternal healthcare in ancient Persia through the Shāyest nē-Shāyest, a Middle Persian (Pahlavi) text from the Sasanian era. Although primarily a religious and ritual guide, the text preserves remarkable detail on the organization of childbirth. It also prescribes ritual practices such as maintaining the sacred household fire to safeguard pregnancy, linking spiritual observance with maternal health. These findings demonstrate that, even in non-medical sources, ancient Persia displayed a sophisticated and organized midwifery system, underscoring the integration of cultural-religious traditions with practical, structured care for pregnant women in the Sasanian society. 

Keywords

References

  1. Donnison, J., 1988. Midwives and medical men: A history of the struggle for the control of childbirth. 2nd ed. London: Historical Publication.
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Journal of Research on History of Medicine
Volume 14, Suppl. 1
The 2nd History of Medicine Meeting: Entangled Histories: Contribution of Iran and Türkiye to the Development of Medical Sciences; 2025 Oct 7-10; Shiraz, Iran
October 2025
Pages 109-112

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