SYSTEMATIC TEACHING OF MIDWIFERY.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XIII, Issue 3, 1 July 1920, Page 123

SYSTEMATIC TEACHING OF MIDWIFERY.

In the 'eighteenth century midwives were licensed by bishops, and their holy character was considered the main qualification. Midwifery from this time onwards was taught systematically; the illustrious Smellie had classes for midwives and did much for the profession, but the effect of these sorely-needed innovations — and the increasing study of obstetrics by thte medical profession — diminished public confidence m the midwives of that day. At the end of the eighteenth century, midwives were often well trained, and had good facilities m lying-in hospitals for studying their craft. In 1872 the London Obstetrical Society instituted a voluntary examination for midwives,

while Florence Nightingale saw their needs and pleaded for higher and longer education. In 1881 the Midwfives 1 Institute drafted and promoted a Bill to raise the status of the profession, and petitioned Parliament for the recognition of midwives; m 1902 the Midwives Act was passed, by which a three months' training and the passing of a State examination were made compulsory ; it had been proposed 300 years previously, so State reforms moved slowly even then. At the end of the nineteenth century the status of midwives was low, the pay poor, and their disabilities were many. In 1916 the course of training for all save generally trained nurses was extended to six months. Young, educated and refined women began slowly to filter into th'e ranks of this eminently womanly profession, which had been regarded as fit only for staid, uneducated women of the lower classes. The modern trained nurse with her superior education and scientific training adds leaven to a profession that, thanks to the work of its pioneers, is slowly but surely attracting more and more able women to it. "When the valule of the services of a skilled midwife of high character and ideals is more recognised, when the great part she plays m maternity and child welfare is realised, and when the profession, acting m concert, demand and receive wider and better education, fairer economic conditions, and inspection by highly-qualified women, we shall not hear wails about the shortage of practising midwives.