Justine Siegemund (born Justine Diettrich; 26 December 1636 – 10 November 1705) was a groundbreaking midwife whose illustrated medical book The Court Midwife (1690), was the first German medical text authored by a woman.

In this episode, Sarah tells her story.

Born in Silesia as the daughter of Lutheran minister, Justine married age 19 but was unable to bear children. Her own struggles with infertility and a prolapsed uterus led her to study obstetrics and become a midwife — eventually delivering almost 6,200 infants in her 42-year career and serving as court midwife to several German princely families. Her inspiring story teaches us not only to value life but also to find purpose in the obstacles we face.

For further reading:

• The Court Midwife from The University of Chicago Press press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/C/bo3620306.html
• Google Doodle for Justine Siegemund: doodles.google/doodle/celebrating-justine-siegemund
• Wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justine_Siegemund
• Justina Siegemund and the Art of Midwifery Journal Article ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791243
• Center for Women's Health entry: ohsu.edu/womens-health/women-who-inspire-us-justine-siegemund
• Brooklyn Museum entry: brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/heritage_floor/justine_dietrich
• Health Savvy Blog entry: healthsavvyblog.medium.com/justine-siegemund-the-lasting-legacy-of-the-unsung-trailblazer-of-midwifery-b9f29f5534f5

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].