The precursor to Planned Parenthood formed 100 years ago. Here’s a look at contraception’s lesser-known legacy. - The Lily

…"What we call birth control today has existed in every society from the earliest times that we have records of human beings," Gordon said. "People were constantly trying to control or limit births." 

The reason for this is simple: Having children has always been both expensive and dangerous. 

Early methods of birth control, which ranged from inserted sea sponges to act as diaphragms to the use of lemon juice as spermicide, weren't always safe — but they were often much less dangerous than giving birth, Gordon said. For most of history, this notion of birth control also included abortion, which was often administered by midwives…

https://www.thelily.com/its-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-first-conference-on-birth-control-heres-a-look-at-contraceptions-lesser-known-legacy/