Medical professions in international perspective. Midwife

Abstract

In 2022, thanks to the cooperation and effort of many people, the first part of the Medical professions in international perspective series dedicated to nursing was published. The book describes the history, education systems and principles of practicing the nursing profession in 14 countries around the world. The second part, which I have the pleasure to present, is devoted to midwives. The concept of Midwifery has ancient roots and midwives have been helping women during childbirth for centuries. Nowadays midwives’ services are an integral part of health care in various periods of life. Midwives have always enjoyed great recognition and respect in society and this profession is seen as particularly attractive. The term “midwife” has its roots in Old English. The word is a combination of two Old English words: mid: meaning with, and wife: referring to a woman. Therefore, midwife literally translates to with-woman or woman who is with. The term has been used in English for centuries to describe a person, typically a woman, who assists other women during childbirth. The role of a midwife involves providing care, support, and assistance to women before, during, and after childbirth. The etymology of the word reflects the close relationship between the midwife and the woman giving birth, emphasizing the supportive and caring role played by the midwife during the childbirth process. I must admit that I have a very personal relationship to this book, because it concerns my profession. 35 years ago, I graduated from a school for midwives and started working in a hospital in the gynecology department. I remember how proudly I wore a white cap with a red transverse stripe – the symbol of midwives. Since then, I have come a long way, I have worked in the maternity ward and in the delivery room, as a ward midwife in the gynecological ward, I also worked for a year in a fertility clinic and finally I became an academic teacher. It was a long, not always easy, but beautiful journey, during which I experienced extraordinary moments full of joy and emotions. I was interested in medicine from an early age, and I chose the profession of a midwife carefully, but also a bit out of curiosity and a desire to learn about the “mystery of birth”. Over the years, I have witnessed many important changes in the midwifery profession and perinatal care in Poland. Especially the last two decades have been very important for our profession, as midwives have gained a lot of independence and many new competences. Thanks to the involvement of 42 authors from 15 countries, I have the pleasure to invite readers to the second part of the book. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who accepted the invitation and described the profession of midwife in their countries. Thanks to you, we can learn more about the history and present of midwives in Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. I hope that this publication will become a valuable source of knowledge not only for midwives and midwifery students, but also for all those who are interested in the history and principles of this beautiful profession. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the Authors for their contribution to the publication, and to the Regional Council of Nurses and Midwives in Rzeszow for their financial support for the publication of this book.