Pregnancy examination. Engraving of a male doctor performing a pregnancy examination during the early 19th century. The woman has remained fully clothed and the examination is being performed by touch alone as the doctor places his hands up her skirt. This procedure was followed in order to prevent the virtue of the woman from being impaired by having her body seen by a man. Female doctors were unknown in the early 19th century. The male doctors that treated woman had not generally specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology.