Download Development of midwifery in Estonia

Development of midwifery
in Estonia
Maret Voites, RM
West Tallinn Central Hospital
Womens Clinic
(Pelgulinna Sünnitusmaja)
First written notes
First notes about midwifery in Estonia are
from 1330 by Baltic historian Fr. G. Bunge
Midwife named Jossyne appears
repeatedly in Tallinn City Hall’s
accounting books at 1545
Midwife’s duties at 1630
She had to...
... be Lutheran
... participate in a specific study program
and after that give an oath to the church
... be “on-call” for 24-hours and obey to the
town doctor
Midwife’s duties at 1695
She was...
... not allowed to cure internal diseases
... not allowed to use strong drugs
... to report about complicated birth
... to call the doctor for a difficult birth
... to consult the doctor about a sick
newborn
Midwife's values from 1812 to…
1. Fair mind, good reputation
2. Will to learn
3. Youth and health
4. Working also as a volunteer
5. Soberness and ability to draw the line
6. Following the midwifery studies also in
her own life
7. Clean and tidy
8. Merciful, compassionate, patient
9. Attentionate
10. Tolerance about colleagues
11. Ability to read and write
Education
1. 1797 first info about education where the
Governor's letter orders all certified midwives to
help other colleagues with knowledge
2. In Tallinn different schools 1809-1811. Midwifery
Institute was reopened in Tallinn at 19.08.1901
together with a birth clinic.In Tartu - School for
Midwives from 1811-1930, after that merged with
Nurses Scool. From 1944 worked as Tartu Medical
High-school which was later changed to Tartu
Medical School. In Paide -1862-1867
3. Consistent educational program started in
Tallinn at 1940 – School for Nurses. Medical
School in Kohtla-Järve from 1940
Handbooks
1. “Lühhikene õppetus Eestimaa
tallorahwa ämmadele” Dr.J.Walther,
1812.
2. “Ämmamoori raamat” Dr.J.T (Mats
Tõnisson), 1896; Prof. B.G. Schulze,
1904.
3. “Sünnitusabi” A.L. Kaplan, 1957.
Home to Hospital
1. Most babies were worn at home until 1930-40-s
2. Estonian obstetrics was reorganized in the Soviet-time every woman had to come and register in the antenatal clinic
and then give birth in the hospital. In 1950 many small
hospitals where built and there was a small maternity ward.
3. Big maternity hospitals were were built in 1960s
4. All bigger centers had a maternity hospital in 1970-1980
5. By that time giving birth in a hospital was the only chance
and homebirths were almost extinct
6. During Socialism the order in the Maternity Hospitals was
very strict, dicipline and attitude was inhumane and
impersonal. The bigger the hospital the less was thought of
the woman in labor and the midwife.
7. During last decade our obstetrics and antenatal care has
gone through a big change and is still changing (for the best?)
What has changed?