Beliefs about labor, delivery, and postpartum care differ widely between cultures and eras. In this episode, we talk about how these stages were experienced and imagined in Shakespeare’s day. We start with an example of a woman writing to her unborn child and then talk about the first English-language “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” book. Finally, we dive into Shakespeare’s many references to problematic births—including the tragedies that unfold when the rituals and support-systems surrounding childbirth are violated.