ABSTRACT
This provides an overview of the history of midwifery in mainland China. The focus is on midwives in the modern time, as birth attendants, as midwives, as mothers, as active members of their communities and as defenders of their status and profession against the unwelcome medical invasion. Examination of the period before and after the decline of midwifery in China challenges some of the long-held beliefs about midwifery being a semi-profession or secondary occupation. The realities of midwives, their lives, work and social standing are also addressed. For clarity, the findings and discussions of the study are arranged into three parts which are subdivided into twelve chapters. Part I consists of three chapters focussing on the history and development of midwifery in China. Part II has three chapters examining the current situation and issues of modernisation, marginalisation and professionalisation of midwifery. The chapters in Part III explore the prospects for midwives and their profession.
