ABSTRACT

It should be remembered that it is the midwife’s skill, based on a scientific knowledge of the physical phenomena, that gives her patients the confidence in her that they need. Without this basic skill on the physical side she may study psychology in vain, because she will not be able to substitute psychological insight for knowing what to do when a placenta praevia complicates the birth process. However, given the requisite knowledge and skill, there is no doubt that the midwife can add greatly to her value by acquiring also an understanding of her patient as a human being.