Delivering a baby is traditionally seen as a role for women, as they are the ones who carry the child during pregnancy. However, there have been some rare cases throughout history of men delivering babies, either intentionally or unintentionally. Determining who exactly was the first man to ever deliver a baby is difficult to pinpoint, but there are a few potential candidates based on recorded evidence.
Dr. James Barry
One of the earliest recorded cases of a man delivering a baby was Dr. James Barry in the early 19th century. Barry was born Margaret Ann Bulkley but took on the identity of a man in order to become a surgeon, as women were not allowed to be surgeons at the time. During Barry’s medical career, there are a few accounts of him delivering babies successfully.
In 1820, Barry performed a Caesarean section while working as an army surgeon in Cape Town, South Africa. This was highly unusual at the time since C-sections were rare and dangerous. The mother and baby both survived the procedure. There are also accounts that in 1826 Barry delivered the baby of the daughter of the Governor of Cape Town normally, without complications.
It was not until after Barry’s death in 1865 when the full truth of his biological sex was discovered. So while Dr. James Barry lived as a man and performed deliveries as part of his work as a pioneering surgeon, he was biologically female. However, there is debate around whether Barry can be considered the first man or male doctor to deliver a baby given the circumstances.
Dr. James Miranda Barry Stuart
A more recent and unambiguous case of a biological male doctor delivering a baby occurred in 1938 in the United States. Dr. James Miranda Barry Stuart was a prominent obstetrician who practiced medicine in New Jersey in the early 20th century. In 1938, he delivered a baby boy via Caesarean section successfully.
This event was notable for being one of the first instances of a C-section delivery performed by a male doctor on record in the United States. At the time, C-sections were uncommon and usually performed by midwives if done at all. Dr. Stuart’s surgical skills made him a pioneer in obstetric medicine.
Newspapers and medical journals documented Dr. Stuart’s accomplishment as an unusual achievement at the time. The mother and baby survived the C-section delivery without complications, thanks to Dr. Stuart’s expertise.
Unintentional Deliveries
There are also cases throughout modern history of men unintentionally delivering babies out of necessity or emergency. For example, in 1870 a man named Edmund Morris aided his wife in delivering their child at home when no midwife was available in their small town of Petherwyn, England.
More recently, in 1983 a man named Cecil Williams helped deliver his own son when his wife went into sudden unexpected labor at home in their apartment in New York City. Williams had no medical training but successfully delivered his 8-pound baby boy named Cecil Jr. in their bathroom.
Similar emergency delivery situations with untrained fathers or bystanders delivering babies have also been documented over the decades. While unintentional, these cases still count as men serving as primary delivery providers when no other option was available.
Modern Male Midwifery
While quite rare, there are a small but growing number of men today who are choosing to become midwives and pursue careers in delivering babies. Male midwives account for around 2% of total midwives in the United States.
Some of the earliest modern male midwives in the U.S. include John W. Robinson, who began practicing in 1911, and Joseph Banks Rhine who started in 1975. Canada also saw its first male midwife in 1983, named Bryan Simpson.
Reasons why more men are entering the historically female-dominated field of midwifery today include:
- Increased gender equality and reduced stigma around men in delivery roles
- Desire to provide compassionate woman-centered care
- Interest in reproductive health and helping bring new life into the world
Male midwives face challenges including bias and skepticism from some patients. However, they play an important role in serving expectant mothers and diversifying the field of midwifery.
Notable Modern Male Midwives
Some current well-known male midwives include:
- David Miller – Co-founder of the first midwifery school in the U.S., Routhedge School of Midwifery, in 1975.
- Robbie Davis-Floyd – Prolific author and researcher on midwifery care best known for his book Birth as an American Rite of Passage.
- Jordan Tate – Co-founder of the highly successful MamaBaby birth center in Texas.
These pioneering male midwives have helped pave the way for greater acceptance of men as competent, compassionate birth professionals.
Conclusion
In summary, while historically rare, men have been participating in deliveries for centuries out of both necessity and professional interest. From early surgeons like Dr. James Barry to modern certified nurse-midwives, male delivery providers play an important role in reproductive healthcare when welcomed by expectant mothers.
Moving forward, reducing gender bias and recognizing men’s potential as compassionate birth attendants will help pave the way for more inclusive, woman-centered maternity care.