Abstract
The art of midwifery must be one of the oldest of acquired skills. In prehistoric times, the more experienced women assisted and comforted their younger relatives during parturition. There are scattered references to midwives in ancient literature, including the Bible. In Genesis 35:17 we learn that Rachel’s death was the result of “ hard labour” . One should congratulate the midwife who delivered Sarah of a son at the age of 90 years - Genesis 17:17. Midwifery stagnated during the Middle Ages due, partly to the ignorance of the midwives as well as to a lack of knowledge of human anatomy coupled with the accepted teaching of the ancients, which was regarded as the ultimate authority. Great advances in the art and science of midwifery have occurred since the Middle Ages, amounting to a revolution in thought and practice. Less than 100 years ago, in 1898, in W.S. Playfair’s “Science and Practice of Midwifery” no mention was made of any form of antenatal examination or even of the testing of urine for albumin. Times have indeed changed - today the whole concept of maternal and child care would be quite unrecognisable to a Victorian midwife. We have also accepted the male midwife into our midst.
Highlights
Introduction of solidsThe m other should be advised not to introduce solids into her b ab y ’s diet before the infant is at least 4 m onths of age
Defective Hearing By teaching the m other how to carry out simple auditory tests at 8 - 9 m onths o f age, the midwife will help in the early diagnosis of defects of hearing and ensure prom pt treatment
Planning education Must not be overlooked as one of the most im portant aspects of midwifery and the midwife must adequately fulfill her role in this respect
Summary
Introduction of solidsThe m other should be advised not to introduce solids into her b ab y ’s diet before the infant is at least 4 m onths of age. Successful breast feeding can be established if the midwife believes in the efficacy o f the “’p ro d u c t” she is “ selling” and if she gives the proper advice to the patient about the care of breasts and nipples.
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