This three-day conference in Bordeaux 6-7-8 November 2019, hosted by the Société de l`Histoire de la Naissance en France, was devoted to the theme of the use of the five senses in birth and midwifery. We asked whether historical and current uses of the senses promote the use of the midwife`s hands, or of practitioners` instruments and technology? We also looked at whether there is a contrast between midwives` and surgeons` or doctors` approaches. My paper, on 8th October, opened the sessions on the history of the senses and birth. I examined the use of the sense of smell c. 1500-1700, showing its importance as both a diagnostic and a therapeutic tool, used by midwives, surgeons and physicians alike. It was fascinating to find this appreciation of the use of smell - particularly by midwives - echoed in present-day reports during papers that followed.