By w stosownym wieku były - wymagania stawiane pierwszym adeptkom sztuki położniczej
So that they would be of the suitable age – requirements towards the first entrants to the midwife profession

Summary/Abstract: The first institutions which provided women with professional education were schools for midwives. The first institutions of this type occurred in the 17th century in France. Providing women with skills necessary during delivering a baby had a form of “apprentice” under the supervision of the experienced midwife. Specific nature of this profession practiced by students in the future influenced the fact that only adult women with some sexual experience, were approved for this type of courses. Preferably, young married women and widows were accepted to the group of students. It was believed that unmarried women should not join the group of students because the information provided during the childbirth assistance could cause embarrassment and constraint. Apart from age, significant determinants of students selection were “conducting oneself”, health condition and religious denomination. Criteria regarding midwives school enrolment developed in France were applied in other European countries (also in Poland), where similar institutions were established. Requirements developed in the 17th century were in effect without major changes until the end of the 19th century.Dane do

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