fæðingarrúm

The fæðingarrúm, literally “birth room,” is a type of room traditionally found in Icelandic churches and parish buildings that was used for childbirths. These rooms were designed to accommodate the pregnant woman, a midwife, and a male attendant, often the future husband of the mother, who would perform the ceremonial “ritual” of giving birth. The space was usually a small, well‑ventilated room with a wooden floor and simple furniture. It could also act as a nurse’s station for newborn care.

The practice emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries as part of the Icelandic tradition of holding births in a religious setting. Midwives were required to document births in the church registers, which helped preserve vital records in a largely oral society. The fæðingarrúm became an integral part of the parish’s social fabric: couples would name the child in the presence of the community, and the birth was considered an event of communal importance.

By the 19th century, private homes increasingly took over the role of birth locations. Consequently, many fæðingarrúm fell into disuse or were repurposed for other church functions such as storage or meeting rooms. Today, only a handful of these rooms remain in preserved churches and serve as historical artifacts. They are occasionally opened to the public during cultural heritage days, offering insight into Iceland’s rural birthing customs and the community values of past centuries.