The Chateau of Blois, in the Loire Valley, is running a fabulous exhibition on the theme of birth and childhood in Renaissance France. If you are in the area between 18 May and 1 September 2019, do take the chance to view it! The lavishly illustrated catalogue accompanying the exhibition contains chapters written specialist historians, including myself. My contribution is entitled `Avoiding death in childbirth` (`Conjurer la mort`), and surveys the roles of Renaissance midwives, surgeons and doctors.