Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- Introduction: Authority, Expertise and German Midwifery's Contribution to Debates of Nature versus Science
- 1 Expertise, Authority and the Written Record: An Overview of Midwives' Evolving Role in the Public Sphere
- 2 From Storchtanten to Gebildete Frauen: The Roots of Modern Professionalization
- 3 Birthing under the Swastika: Indoctrinating Midwives into the Nazi Pro-Natalist State
- 4 Strong Hands and Steady Demeanour: Identifying the Characteristics of an Ideal Midwifery Student
- 5 Babies, Bottles and Bureaucracy: Course Curriculum, World Views and Essential Knowledge for a Midwife
- 6 The Art and Science of Childbirth: Constructing Midwifery and Obstetrical Textbooks
- Conclusion: Modern Professional Midwifery
- Notes
- Works Cited
- Index
6 - The Art and Science of Childbirth: Constructing Midwifery and Obstetrical Textbooks
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- Introduction: Authority, Expertise and German Midwifery's Contribution to Debates of Nature versus Science
- 1 Expertise, Authority and the Written Record: An Overview of Midwives' Evolving Role in the Public Sphere
- 2 From Storchtanten to Gebildete Frauen: The Roots of Modern Professionalization
- 3 Birthing under the Swastika: Indoctrinating Midwives into the Nazi Pro-Natalist State
- 4 Strong Hands and Steady Demeanour: Identifying the Characteristics of an Ideal Midwifery Student
- 5 Babies, Bottles and Bureaucracy: Course Curriculum, World Views and Essential Knowledge for a Midwife
- 6 The Art and Science of Childbirth: Constructing Midwifery and Obstetrical Textbooks
- Conclusion: Modern Professional Midwifery
- Notes
- Works Cited
- Index
Summary
The government marks as a priority the introduction of a midwifery textbook as part of the educational foundation within midwifery schools and for use by practicing midwives in furthering their own education regarding their (societal) responsibilities.
Ludwig von Rönne and Heinrich Simon, Das Medicinal Wesen des Preuβischen Staates, 1844The (Nazi midwifery textbook) was a huge disappointment to many. The Soviet Military Occupational Forces has therefore, with good reason banned its use but now the vacuum (of good textbooks) is greater than ever.
Robert Schröder, Midwifery Textbook (Soviet Zone), 1947Midwifery training suffers today, as do most other technical vocations from a complete lack of (adequate) textbooks.
Heinrich Martius, Midwifery Textbook (Western Zone), 1948Written roughly a century apart, the quotations opening this chapter demonstrate the enduring importance of both midwives in Germany and of textbooks in educating those midwives. The period between these quotes also represented a time of great upheaval and change for Germany and its midwives. When Ludwig von Rönne and Heinrich Simon made their declaration in 1844, midwifery in the German states had not yet professionalized, training practices lacked standardization and the literacy rate among midwives was very low. When Heinrich Martius and Robert Schröder wrote their respective openings the landscape had changed dramatically. German midwifery had experienced standardization in training, licensing and practice. Entrance exams tested, among other things, students' physical and intellectual aptitude. The nation had also undergone profound changes: a failed liberal parliament, unification under the Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, soaring industrial development, crippling economic disaster and not one but two world wars. Now, divided once again, two new Germanys had to face a Nazi legacy.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Modern German Midwifery, 1885–1960 , pp. 145 - 174Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014