In colonial america,the typical woman gave birth to her children at home. Female relatives and neighbors would gather at her bedside to offer support and encouragement. When the daughter of a puritan official gave birth to her first child on the last day of january 1701, at least eight other woman were present at her bedside. They included her mother and four or more other neighbors. Most women were assisted in childbirth not by a doctor but by a midwife. Skilled midwives were highly valued. Communities tried to attract experienced midwives by offering a salary or a house rent-free. In addition to assisting in childbirth, midwives helped deliver the offspring of animals and attended the baptisms and burials of infants. During labor, midwives administered no painkillers except alcohol. Pain in childbirth was considered god's punishment for Eve's sin of eating the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. After delivery,new mother were often treated to a banquet. Woman from well-to-do families were then expected to spend three to four weeks in bed convalescing. Woman from poorer families were generally back at work in one or two days.