Worcester Historian Launches ‘Birthing Stories’ Project to Preserve Maternal Experiences

A University of Worcester historian is leading a unique project aimed at capturing the evolving experiences of mothers who have given birth in the city over the past 75 years. The ‘Birthing Stories’ initiative, a collaboration between Dr. Anna Muggeridge and the George Marshall Medical Museum, seeks to document the personal narratives of childbirth and motherhood in Worcestershire.

Preserving a Generational History

Dr. Muggeridge’s project recognizes the importance of preserving the often-untold stories of mothers. The research aims to build a comprehensive picture of how childbirth has changed across generations, encompassing not only the medical aspects but also the social and emotional experiences of new mothers. The project received a £500,000 Future Leaders Fellowship award from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), enabling a detailed and long-term investigation.

Seeking Stories from All Eras

Although the project has already gathered fascinating accounts from mothers who gave birth in the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Muggeridge is particularly keen to hear from those who had children more recently – in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Stories from mothers who experienced childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic are also highly valued. The team emphasizes that all experiences are valuable, regardless of whether they were positive, negative, or unremarkable.

The Value of Personal Narratives

“We aim for to hear from people who had a really positive birth story, or a negative one, or even a ‘run-of-the-mill’ story,” explains Dr. Muggeridge. “These real accounts of childbirth in Worcestershire give us incredible insights into the changes mothers have been through over the years.” The project acknowledges the importance of maternal voices, complementing existing accounts from midwives and collections of medical equipment.

How to Participate

Mothers interested in sharing their stories are invited to participate by completing a short initial form before being invited to a recorded interview. Participants are assured that they are not obligated to share any information they are uncomfortable with. The collected oral histories will be archived at the George Marshall Medical Museum and used in future exhibitions and events celebrating the experiences of Worcestershire mothers.

Project Details

• Project Name: Birthing Stories
• Lead Researcher: Dr. Anna Muggeridge, University of Worcester
• Partner: George Marshall Medical Museum
• Focus: Maternal experiences of childbirth in Worcestershire over the last 75 years
• Funding: £500,000 Future Leaders Fellowship (UKRI)

The project formally launched in September and is expected to take around a year to complete. The aim is to gather at least two oral histories for each decade from the 1950s onwards.

Those interested in contributing to the ‘Birthing Stories’ project can locate more information at University of Worcester News.