Expecting: Birth, Belief and Protection

Fascinating exhibition at the Wellcome Collection exploring an object from their collection, a birth girdle from about 1500.

The girdle has Christian prayers and religious illustrations covering its entire 3-metre length, which could be wrapped around the body for protection during childbirth and at other moments of danger. The show set it in the context of birth at the time and other healing uses of scrolls.

There was an excellent video of an interview with Dr Sarah Fiddyment, a protein scientist who analysed the scroll and confirmed that it had been actively used during childbirth.

The show also included two contemporary artists who have looked at issues around fertility and birth. However my favourite piece in the show was the wonderful scene of Renaissance child birth which on first glance I assumed was a Birth of the Virgin but on a proper look it has no obvious religious context.

Closes 19 April 2026


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