Obstetrical Case Books

Casebooks

Gladys M Vette, 1929-1933

(WWAT 2015/1-1)

Edna E Aitkin, 1934-1935

(WWAT 2009/2)

Gail Farquhar, 1960-1963

(WWAT 2015/1-2)

Obstetrical Case Books, also known as the H.-Mt.15, were used to record the lectures and practical experience of student midwives, maternity nurses and nurses during their training in New Zealand.

In 1935 there were two classes of maternity nurse:

  • Class I: A registered nurse training as a maternity nurse
  • Class 2: An unregistered woman qualifying as a maternity nurse.

Maternity trainees, whether they were Registered Nurses or not, had to record 10 cases in the H.-Mt.15 (1 antenatal, 2 infants {including 1 premature, if possible}, 3 normal labours and puerperiums, and 4 abnormal cases {including 1 abnormal labour and 1 complicated puerperium}).

By 1960 the Nurses and Midwives Board stipulated 4 distinct classes for practical experience during training (H.-Mt.15, c.1960, p.2.):

  • Class I: Student Nurse training under new Curriculum
  • Class II: Registered nurse training as a Maternity Nurse
  • Class III: Unregistered woman qualifying as a Maternity Nurse
  • Class IV: Midwifery trainees

The practical experience required by midwifery and maternity nurse trainees did not change from 1935 to at least 1960.

Table: Practical experience to be gained by students according to category
Subject Class I Class II Class III Class IV
1st year 3rd year
Assistance at labour 20 20 40 20
Conduction of labour 5 5 10 20
Abdominal palpation  
Ante-natal patient 5 1 15 30 20
Labour patient 15 15 15 20
Rectal examination 5 15 20 40 30
Vaginal examinations 20
Ante-natal patients examined  
New patients 2 8 10 10 20
Old patients 5 15 20 20 40
Labour patients prepared 5 15 20 50 20
Obstetrical anaesthesias 10 10 20 20
Puerperal patients nursed 8 12 20 50 20
Infants nursed 8 12 20 50 20
Catheterisations & vaginal douches (as opportunity occurs) ü
Preparation of sterile dressings, applications, etc, as prescribed in H.-Mt. 22 4 4 10 6