Although Midwifery was traditionally a woman's field, from 1991, men are free to undergo training as well as practice as midwives.
Right from the 16th Century men began getting involved with midwifery and the care of pregnant women. At this time the term "man-midwife" came into use. The Medical Acts of 1858 and 1886 further consolidated man-midwife's position. The First Midwives Act of 1902 gave Female practitioners legal recognition. However the act stipulated that midwifery by unqualified women was prohibited. This caused a loophole, as it meant that unqualified men could still practice. In an attempt to clarify all ambiguities, The Midwives Act of 1952 was passed, however it prohibited men from either training for or practicing midwifery.
By the 1960s and early 1970s, a few male nurses challenged this decision and in 1975 a bill that abolished sex discrimination in employment was passed. There was an amendment to the bill that stipulated that all men could enter midwifery. In spite of this, records in the UK prove that out of 35,310 practicing midwives, only 87 were male.
Right from the 16th Century men began getting involved with midwifery and the care of pregnant women. At this time the term "man-midwife" came into use. The Medical Acts of 1858 and 1886 further consolidated man-midwife's position. The First Midwives Act of 1902 gave Female practitioners legal recognition. However the act stipulated that midwifery by unqualified women was prohibited. This caused a loophole, as it meant that unqualified men could still practice. In an attempt to clarify all ambiguities, The Midwives Act of 1952 was passed, however it prohibited men from either training for or practicing midwifery.
By the 1960s and early 1970s, a few male nurses challenged this decision and in 1975 a bill that abolished sex discrimination in employment was passed. There was an amendment to the bill that stipulated that all men could enter midwifery. In spite of this, records in the UK prove that out of 35,310 practicing midwives, only 87 were male.
