Quick Facts
- Born: September 1656 • Bentheim, Germany
- Died: October 30, 1746 (aged 90) • Dokkum, Friesland, Netherlands
- Known For:
- Detailed documentation of over 4000 deliveries in her memoirs.
- Pioneering midwifery practices in the 17th and 18th centuries.
- High survival rates for both mothers and infants under her care.
- Legacy: Her meticulous records provide invaluable insights into the history of midwifery, showcasing both her skill and the social context of childbirth during her time.
Trailblazing Achievements
Catharina Geertruida Schrader, born in Bentheim, Germany, was the daughter of Friedrich Schrader, a tailor to the court, and Gertrud Nibberich. Due to political unrest, the family moved to Leiden, Netherlands, in the late 1670s. Catharina married Ernst Wilhelm Cramer, a surgeon, in 1683, and after he died in 1692, she turned to midwifery to support her six children. In 1693, she began her practice in the villages around Hallum, Friesland. By 1695, while living in Dokkum, she had established a significant practice, assisting in over a hundred deliveries annually. Her second marriage to Thomas Higt, the mayor of Dokkum, allowed her to slow down her practice, but she resumed after his death until she was 88. Schrader’s work was notable for its high success rate, with over 92% of babies surviving childbirth, far surpassing the standard rates of her time.
Controversies
Catharina Schrader’s career was not marked by personal controversy but was situated within a broader historical context of shifting medical practices. During her time, the role of midwives was increasingly challenged by the rise of male physicians in childbirth, leading to a patriarchial and masculinization of the field. While Schrader herself did not engage in public controversy, her very presence as a successful female midwife during this transition period highlights the tension between traditional midwifery and the emerging medicalization of childbirth. This shift led to midwives being criticized or discredited, though Schrader’s detailed records and high success rates were a testament to her competence.
In Her Own Words
Catharina Schrader’s writings offer a rare glimpse into the mind of a dedicated midwife of the Early Modern Era. While direct quotes are scarce, her memoirs provide several insights:
- “When it pleased the Lord to choose me for this important work.”
- This phrase from her memoirs reveals her deep sense of divine calling in her profession, reflecting her religious devotion and commitment to midwifery.
- “Thereupon in my eighty-fourth year of old age in my empty hours I sat and thought over what miracles The Lord had performed through my hands to the unfortunate, distressed women in childbirth.”
- From her memoirs, this quote illustrates her reflective nature and gratitude towards her life’s work, acknowledging the divine assistance she felt she received.
- “And I said to the doctor, here is your dead child, to his shame.”
- A poignant moment from her memoirs where Schrader asserts her competence by correcting a doctor’s misdiagnosis, showcasing her confidence and skill.
- “Not me, but You oh Lord be the honour, the glory till eternity.”
- This prayerful sentiment from her writings highlights her humility and the central role of faith in her life and work, attributing her success to divine intervention.
- “Him alone the praise.”
- Repeatedly mentioned in her memoirs, this phrase underscores her belief that the successful outcomes in childbirth were due to God’s will, not her own abilities.
These excerpts from Catharina Schrader’s writings reflect her deep spirituality, professional pride, and the challenges she faced in her practice, providing a window into her personal philosophy and the era’s medical and social landscape.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
Catharina Schrader left a lasting legacy through her extensive documentation of childbirth practices in her “Memoryboeck van de Vrouwens,” which chronicled over 4000 deliveries. These memoirs provide a unique historical record, offering insights into the social, medical, and religious aspects of childbirth in early modern Friesland. Her work is celebrated for its detail and the high survival rates of mothers and infants, serving as a benchmark for midwifery practices of the era. Today, her name lives on through the Catharina Schrader Stichting, which promotes the heritage of Dutch midwifery.
Personal Reflections
Catharina Schrader’s story resonates deeply with me as a midwife. Her dedication to recording each birth meticulously served as a guide for future midwives and highlights the importance of knowledge transfer in our profession. If I could meet Schrader, I would ask how she managed to balance her personal life with her demanding profession, especially raising six children alone after her first husband’s death. I sometimes struggle with work/life balance in my career, even though my husband is retired, and all my children are grown up and out of the house. Her resilience and skill in a time when women’s roles were being redefined in medicine are genuinely inspiring, reminding us of the enduring impact one dedicated individual can have.
Key Milestones
Additional Reading
- Catharina Schrader – Wikipedia
- Mother and Child Were Saved: The Memoirs (1693-1740) of the Frisian Midwife Catharina Schrade by Catharina Schrader
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—- Stay Strong! Jaelin —-
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