Queen Anne's obstetric history (1665 - 1714)

Pretty grim reading, It's from 'Royal Confinements' which they believe was due to rhesus incompatibility - the reason we now give anti-D to prevent this from happening - the first birth wouldn't be affected, was likely caused by an abruption when she fell.

1. 12th May 1684 Stillborn girl (following a fall from her horse)
2. 2nd June 1685 Live girl (Mary) died of an infection before her second birthday on 8th February 1687
3. 12th May 1686 Live girl (Anne Sophia) died of an infection 6 days before her elder sister - presumably the same infection
4. January 1687 miscarriage
5. 22nd October 1687 Stillborn boy (died a month prior to birth)
6. 16th April 1688 miscarriage
7. 24th July 1689 Live boy (William) had convulsions at 6 weeks old (following fluid discharge from the ear so suspected ear infection) and then developed minor hydrocephalus. Died aged 11 from Scarlet Fever on 29th July 1700. He is in the picture above - aged 5
8. 14th October 1690 Live girl (Mary) two months premature, she only lived for 2 hours)
9. 17th April 1692 Live boy (George) lived for a few minutes, no mention of prematurity
10. 21 January 1694 Stillborn girl
11. 18th February 1696 ?twins Stillborn boy at 7 months gestation and the other twin 2-3months gestation (possibly fetus papareous ?sp?)
12. 20th September 1996 miscarriage
13. 25th March 1697 Stillborn daughter (no mention of gestation but must have been premature unless the previous miscarriage was one of twins)
14. December 1697 miscarriage
15. 15th September 1698 Stillborn boy
16. 25th January 1700 Stillborn boy

And this was probably common then - so much for women to go through, we don't realise half the time just how lucky we are

Fantastic historical post thankyou. So sad tho x

How devastating for her. We are so lucky now.
Thanks for posting x