- Midwifery has existed since 500 BC, as evidenced by archaeological findings showing women assisting in childbirth. The Bible references midwives assisting Hebrew women. Hippocrates organized and trained midwives, while Soranus in the 2nd century specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. - From the 15th to 16th century, untrained midwives dominated the practice. Ambroise Pare laid the foundations of modern obstetrics by performing versions and suturing lacerations. William Harvey wrote the first English textbook on midwifery in the 16th century.

1. ..

2. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
 In the changing scenario ofIn the changing scenario of health care systemhealth care system
of today’s world, the trends inof today’s world, the trends in midwifery andmidwifery and
obstetrical nursing are also changingobstetrical nursing are also changing..
 There areThere are new advancementsnew advancements in care beingin care being
provided,provided, parenthood planning, nationalparenthood planning, national
maternal health policiesmaternal health policies etc.etc.

3. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVEHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
.. MidwiferyMidwifery is as old as theis as old as the historyhistory of humanof human
species.species. ArchaeologicalArchaeological evidence of a womanevidence of a woman
squattingsquatting in child birth supported byin child birth supported by anotheranother
womanwoman from behind demonstrates thefrom behind demonstrates the
existence of midwifery inexistence of midwifery in 500BC.500BC.

4.  In the bible,In the bible, in the old testament geniusesin the old testament geniuses
35:1735:17 and it came to pass, when she was inand it came to pass, when she was in
hard labourhard labour that the midwife said unto her fearthat the midwife said unto her fear
notnot rachaelrachael it is another boy. In exodusit is another boy. In exodus 1:15,1:15, itit
is recorded that theis recorded that the king spoke to the shiprahking spoke to the shiprah
& puah,& puah, the two midwives who helpedthe two midwives who helped HebrewHebrew
womenwomen when they gave birth. These twowhen they gave birth. These two
Hebrew midwivesHebrew midwives are the first midwives foundare the first midwives found
in the literature.in the literature.

5.  HippocratesHippocrates the father of scientific medicinethe father of scientific medicine
organised,organised, trained & supervised midwivestrained & supervised midwives..
Hippo-crates beleived that the fetus had toHippo-crates beleived that the fetus had to
fight its way out of thefight its way out of the womb and thewomb and the
menbranes.menbranes. The midwives did not appreciateThe midwives did not appreciate
the efforts ofthe efforts of Hippocrates.Hippocrates.
 AristotleAristotle the father ofthe father of embryology,embryology, describeddescribed
thethe uterus and the female pelvic organs.uterus and the female pelvic organs. HeHe
also discussed the essential qualities ofalso discussed the essential qualities of
midwives.midwives.

6.  Soranus,Soranus, in the second century was thein the second century was the
first to specialise infirst to specialise in obstetrics andobstetrics and
gynaecology.gynaecology. He used aHe used a vaginal speculumvaginal speculum
& advised on cord care.& advised on cord care.
 FromFrom 55thth
to 15to 15thth
century,century, which was thewhich was the
period of decline of roman empireperiod of decline of roman empire
untrained midwivesuntrained midwives controlled the practicecontrolled the practice
of midwives.of midwives.
 Leonardo da vinciLeonardo da vinci made anatomicalmade anatomical
drawing of pregnant uterus.drawing of pregnant uterus.

7.  In 1513In 1513, the first on midwifery was printed in, the first on midwifery was printed in
germanygermany based on thebased on the teachings of soranus.teachings of soranus.
 In 1940In 1940 the book was translated inthe book was translated in english forenglish for
a centurya century & half it was the only book on& half it was the only book on
midwifery in englishmidwifery in english. During the period,. During the period,
doctors were rigidly excluded from labourdoctors were rigidly excluded from labour
room &room & midwives assisted women in labour.midwives assisted women in labour.

8.  AmbroiseAmbroise pare laid thepare laid the foundation of modernfoundation of modern
obstrectics.obstrectics. He performed internal podalicHe performed internal podalic
version and skilfullyversion and skilfully delivered women.delivered women.
 He was the first to deliver a women inHe was the first to deliver a women in bedbed
instead of birthing stoolinstead of birthing stool. He also. He also suturedsutured
perineal lacerations.perineal lacerations.
 Julius caesarJulius caesar wrote the first book forwrote the first book for italianitalian
midwifesmidwifes, which ran 17, which ran 17thth
edition. He advisededition. He advised
casearean section for contracted pelvis.casearean section for contracted pelvis.
 William harveyWilliam harvey (1578-1657) the father of(1578-1657) the father of
British midwifery, wrote the firstBritish midwifery, wrote the first EnglishEnglish
textbook on midwifery.textbook on midwifery.

9.  He described the fetal circulation and placentaHe described the fetal circulation and placenta
and was the first to deliver the placenta byand was the first to deliver the placenta by
massaging the uterus.massaging the uterus.
 Women remined largely reluctant to beWomen remined largely reluctant to be
delivereddelivered