Fascinating Trivia about Justine Siegemund, a Midwife from Germany

Google, the renowned search engine, unveiled a captivating Google Doodle on March 28, 2023, paying tribute to Justine Siegemund, also known as Siegemundin, a renowned midwife hailing from Lower Silesia. Notably, her book “Court Midwife” (1690), the most widely read obstetrical manual in German authored by a woman, was published. Explore below for intriguing and entertaining facts about the life and achievements of Justine Siegemund.

To delve deeper into Justine Siegemund’s extraordinary life and impactful work, you can find more information here.

Personal Information about Justine Siegemund

• Birth name: Justine Diettrich
• Birth date: 26 December 1636
• Birthplace: Rohnstock, Lower Silesia
• Died on: 10 November 1705 (aged 68)
• Death place: Berlin
• Famous as: a German midwife
• Known for: The Court Midwife (1690)
• Spouse: Christian Siegemund

Here are some intriguing and noteworthy facts about Justine Siegemund, a remarkable midwife from the 17th century:

1. Challenging Patriarchal Attitudes: Justine Siegemund fearlessly defied patriarchal norms prevalent during her time.
2. Birth and Background: Born on December 26, 1636, in Rohnstock (now Roztoka), she was the daughter of a Lutheran minister in the former Silesian Duchy of Jawor.
3. Marriage and Support: Justine married Christian Siegemund, an accountant, in 1655. Although they didn’t have children, their marriage lasted for an impressive 42 years. Christian played a significant role in supporting Justine’s professional endeavors.
4. Overcoming Obstacles: Despite not having children, which was a requirement for practicing midwifery at the time, Justine pursued her calling. Her determination triumphed over conventional expectations.
5. Personal Inspiration: Justine’s own experience with misdiagnosed prolapsed uterus, mistaken as pregnancy, motivated her to become a midwife and improve obstetrical education.
6. Early Learning: At the age of twenty, Justine Siegemund encountered incompetent midwives during her own pregnancy scare in 1659. This event ignited her interest in obstetrics, leading her to study the subject extensively.
7. Serving the Underprivileged: After completing her apprenticeship, Justine began her midwifery career by offering free services to underprivileged women. Her skill in safely guiding women through difficult births quickly gained recognition throughout the country.
8. Expanding Clientele: Initially focusing on poor and peasant women, Justine gradually extended her clientele to include women from merchant and noble families.
9. Adept in Medical Challenges: Justine’s expertise led to her being called upon by male doctors to assist in a case involving Luise Duchess of Legnica, who had a cervical tumor. Justine successfully removed the tumor, showcasing her proficiency and gaining recognition.
10. City and Court Midwife: In 1670, Justine Siegemund was appointed as the “city midwife” of Legnica/Lignitz. Later, in 1683, she accepted the position of Court Midwife in Berlin, where she attended to the childbirths of the royal family.
11. Influential Publication: Justine Siegemund published “The Court Midwife” in 1690, a groundbreaking obstetrical text that significantly improved the health of German mothers and infants. This work revolutionized childbirth practices in Germany.
12. Assisting Prominent Figures: Justine had the privilege of delivering four of Marie-Amalie, Duchess of Saxony-Zeitz’s children, who was the sister of Frederick III. She also assisted the Saxon Electress Eberhardine during childbirth.
13. Collaboration with Mary II of Orange: Mary II of Orange suggested that Justine write a textbook training manual for midwives during her time in the Netherlands. It is believed that Justine had already been compiling her book, “The Court Midwife,” at that point.
14. Minimal Use of Pharmaceuticals: Justine preferred to rely less on early pharmaceuticals or surgical instruments in her practice. Her natural approach to midwifery helped deliver thousands of children.
15. Legacy of “The Court Midwife”: Following Justine Siegemund’s passing, “The Court Midwife” was republished multiple times, with modifications and additions over the years. It remained a significant resource in the field of obstetrics.
16. Pioneering Female Author: Justine Siegemund holds the distinction of being the first female author in Germany to publish a book on obstetrics.
17. Access to Education: Justine’s publication broke barriers at a time when few women had access to formal education, empowering future generations of midwives.
18. Google Doodle Tribute: On March 28, 2023, Google celebrated Justine Siegemund’s achievements with a Google Doodle. This date marks the official certification of her book, “The Court Midwife,” by the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) in 1690.

These fascinating facts shed light on the life and accomplishments of Justine Siegemund, a trailblazing midwife who made a lasting impact in the field of obstetrics.

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