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