The birthing chamber was designed to resemble the womb
Rather than being admitted to hospital in the closing days of her pregnancy, a female royal in centuries past would be expected to give herself up to ‘lying in’ up to a month before her baby was due. This was a special, rigidly-structured procedure in which the mother-to-be was isolated from the outside world for several weeks. While this was done with her – and the baby’s – wellbeing in mind, it would have been extremely tedious and uncomfortable, despite all the effort that went into mollycoddling the expectant royal.
Before the queen or princess entered the designated room for her ‘lying in’, the chamber was carefully prepared. All the walls were covered in calming tapestries. These would depict serene biblical scenes and landscapes. Images of animals or people were off-limits since it was believed that such sights could frighten the mother-to-be and could even lead to hallucinations and birth defects, including physical deformities. A false ceiling might also be installed, to create a cosier enclosed space reminiscent of the womb in order to add to the feeling of relaxation and comfort.
Fresh air and natural light were seen as harmful rather than beneficial. As such, if the chamber had any windows, these were to remain covered until after the birth. Only candles were permitted, with the attendants warned that any glimpse of natural sunlight might harm the expectant mother’s eyes. What’s more, a big fire would be lit in the room – even if it was summer – and anyone in the room was forbidden from raising their voices above a whisper. And the superstitions didn’t stop there. In some countries, Tudor England included, anything that was closed would be opened so as to ensure that all energy flowed outwards. So, as well as cupboard doors being opened, knots and even hairpins were undone. Nothing was left to chance.