The birth of obstetrics in modern Piedmont

Anna Canavese, "For the relief and reputation of some pregnant women giving birth. The birth of obstetrics in modern Piedmont"
master's thesis, University of Turin, a.y. 2007-2008

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, scientific progress led to the birth of obstetrics as a true branch of medicine. The birth of the surgeon-obstetrician, specialized in the art of births, and only authorized to practice it, is accompanied by the change in the role of midwives, limited to nursing care for pregnant women during childbirth.

The First midwives register (1732-1855) was fundamental in reconstructing the history of the profession of midwife starting from the moment in which, with the approval of the "Regulations of the work of women giving birth in the hospital of San Gioanni in Turin" (9 July 1732), for its exercise it became mandatory to take a public exam in front of two professors of the Faculty of Surgery.

With the author's consent, we publish the index and introduction of this work.