Satire and discussion around the "man-midwife" and advocacy for midwives Section: Originales How to quote Plata Quintanilla RM, Díaz Ibarbia A. Sátira y debate en torno al man-midwife y la defensa de las matronas. Matronas Hoy 2025; 13(2):6-18. Authors1 Rosa Mª Plata Quintanilla, 2 Alba Díaz-Ibarbia Position 1 Enfermera Especialista en Enfermería Obstétrico-ginecológica (Matrona). Santander (Cantabria) 2 Enfermera Especialista en Enfermería Obstétrico-ginecológica (Matrona). H.U. Marqués de Valdecilla. Doctora en Ciencias de la Salud. Santander (Cantabria) Contact email: rplataq@gmail.com Abstract Introduction: in Great Britain, the “man-midwife” was an 18th century trend, which was initiated in France by the end of the 17th century, and started a battle between traditional midwives and these new assistants, as the former saw a threat not only for their income but also for their reputation and social work. However, this conflict was not only fought between both jobs, but also in society. Objectives: to analyse in depth the book “Man-midwifery Dissected” as a social criticism to the introduction of the man-midwife in 18th century England. To contribute to the history of women by demonstrating the important role of female midwives in the history of Obstetrics. To expose the oppressive mechanisms which allowed this fact at the expense of gender inequality. Materials and Method: translation and analysis of the book “Man-midwifery Dissected”, with the famous satirical engraving titled “A man mid-wife” in its cover, which will be the start of the analysis. Discussion: assistance by men-midwives (male midwives) was based on their superiority for using obstetric instruments, and not justified, because most births only required the professional assistance by midwives, who were denied training. The undiscriminated and unnecessary use of instruments, together with ambition and obstetric ignorance, broke many maternal and fetal lives. Regardless of this, scientific knowledge around delivery was increased, even though midwives were excluded of any potential involvement in this development, due to a matter of gender and the greed of male midwives in search of a better professional, social, and financial status. Conclusions: midwives were excluded by men from the vast movement of scientification, instrumentalization and medicalization of childbirth. Midwives, even if illiterate, had greater knowledge of childbirth than the recently arrived “man-midwives”. The route of access for men to obstetric assistance was through the underestimation and defamation of midwives and the use of obstetric instruments. Many of the behaviours and actions of this first accoucheurs and men-midwives would not pass the ethical judgement currently imposed on clinical actions. Lack of training and poor education in midwives were the only causes for their inferiority. Keywords: midwives; male midwives; accoucheur; man-midwife; obstetric instruments; moral; sexuality; gender-based violence; patriarchy Versión en Español Título: Sátira y debate en torno al man-midwife y la defensa de las matronas Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language Bibliography [1] Wilkie L. “In Safe Hands: A Battle for Midwifery” temporary exhibition. Blog Surgeons ´Hall Museum. The Royal Collegue of Surgeons of Edimburgh. [internet] [citado 25 ago 2025]. Disponible en: https://surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2023/03/22/in-safe-hands-the-battle-for-midwifery/[2] Smellie W. A collection of cases and observations in midwifery. By William Smellie, M. D. To illustrate his former treatise, or first volume, on that subject. Vol. II. 1779. The Internet Archive [internet] [citado 25 ago 2025]. 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