Soranus, a Greek physician and gynecologist during the second century, wrote a textbook called On Midwifery and the Diseases of Women in which he discusses the characteristics of the best midwife (86). He describes the best midwife as one who not only performs the medical task of delivering car but also provides pre and post natal care. Today, when an expectant mother is selecting an obstetrician or midwife some of the questions she may ask is how many years of experience the birth attendant has, whether or not the attendant is trustworthy and understanding, how sanitary is the place she will give birth in, and what gender the attendant is. The criteria which many woman look at today is very similar to the criteria suggested by Soranus for
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Soranus states that the best midwife should be, “unperturbed, unafraid in danger, able to state clearly the reasons for her measures, she will bring reassurance to her patients, and be sympathetic.” (88) Expecting women want the obstetrician or midwife to be brave and confident because that will provide the midwife with confidence and reassurance that her pregnancy and delivery will be safe. “She will be well disciplined and always sober, since it is uncertain when she may be summoned to those in danger” (88). It was important that a midwife stay sober during the Roman Empire because if a mother were to give birth, the midwife should be sober so that she can continue with the procedures. Obstetricians and midwives today know that they always have to be prepared because they are on-call for the patient they are attending. Both women from modern day and the Roman Empire look for a responsible birth attendant. “She will have a quiet disposition, for she will have to share many secrets of life” (88). Confidentiality is trait that many women wanted to have in their midwives to protect their own privacy. Today confidentiality is enforced by HIPPA and women expect that healthcare providers abide by this law. There are certain traits that women of today and of the Roman Empire that they looked for in obstetricians and
Soranus states that the best midwife should be, “unperturbed, unafraid in danger, able to state clearly the reasons for her measures, she will bring reassurance to her patients, and be sympathetic.” (88) Expecting women want the obstetrician or midwife to be brave and confident because that will provide the midwife with confidence and reassurance that her pregnancy and delivery will be safe. “She will be well disciplined and always sober, since it is uncertain when she may be summoned to those in danger” (88). It was important that a midwife stay sober during the Roman Empire because if a mother were to give birth, the midwife should be sober so that she can continue with the procedures. Obstetricians and midwives today know that they always have to be prepared because they are on-call for the patient they are attending. Both women from modern day and the Roman Empire look for a responsible birth attendant. “She will have a quiet disposition, for she will have to share many secrets of life” (88). Confidentiality is trait that many women wanted to have in their midwives to protect their own privacy. Today confidentiality is enforced by HIPPA and women expect that healthcare providers abide by this law. There are certain traits that women of today and of the Roman Empire that they looked for in obstetricians and