mother would invite close female friends and family members to her home to keep her company during childbirth.: 96–98 skilled midwives managed all aspects of the labour and delivery. the presence of physicians and surgeons was very rare and only occurred if a serious complication had taken place and the midwife had exhausted all measures at her disposal. calling a surgeon was very much a last resort and having men deliver women in this era was seen as offending female modesty.: 1050–1051 before the 18th century