Justine Siegemund was misdiagnosed when she had a prolapsed uterus at 20 years old. This traumatic experience inspired her to learn more about obstetrics, and in 1659, she opened her own practice after being asked to assist with a case of labor obstruction caused by a missing fetal arm.
Until 1670, Justine Siegemund provided disadvantaged women in her neighborhood with free midwifery care. Her paying clients grew to include businesses and noble families. In 1670, Siegemund was made city midwife in Legnica.
A cervical tumor that threatened Luise, Duchess of Legnica was successfully removed by Siegemund after male doctors sought her expertise. This was because of her expanding clientele and profitable midwifery practice.
Who Is Justine Siegemund Court Midwife?
The Silesian midwife Justine Siegemund is best known for her obstetrical book The Court Midwife (1690), which was the first German medical text written by a woman during a time when the majority of obstetrical texts were written by men.
