Are There Any Superstitions That Helped Women in Pregnancy?

Before the reformation it was very common to have amulets and superstitious objects that women would cling on to in birth, or whereabout, on their person during pregnancy and labour. So this period was often people still held on to certain superstitions and things. One piece of equipment that a midwife might bring with her is something called an eagle stone, which is te gode. It's a naturally occurring rock, and it's like those little balls that cats play with - they're not balls but are similar. And yes, so we see both in chairs in lots of delivery sweets now. Was there any pain relief available? For birthing mothers. Yes, they did.