Midwife's bag used on home visits in the Isle of Man
Date made: late 20th century
Maker: unknown
Description: This bag and the equipment within it was used by Isle of Man district midwives prior to the 1980s.
The bag is made of leather and contains a stainless steel sterilising unit as well as equipment for delivering babies.
The role of the midwife - someone usually an older woman who has knowledge of the processes of childbirth - exists in almost every society on earth. In Britain it was not uncommon for children to be born at home, rather than in hospital, as late as the 1970s. A bag such as this would have been an essential part of the midwife's kit.
Measurements: 35 x 32 x 25 cm
Materials: cotton, metal: copper alloy, metal: iron, plastic: other
Object name: bag
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1986-0039