Care given by midwives in Bierzo Alto (Leon, Spain): a hundred years evolution

The role played by midwives throughout history has been intimately conditioned by the culture of the society in which they lived: habits, beliefs and rites. The aim of the present work is approaching to knowledge and evolution of care given by midwives during the XX century in this Spanish area, Bierzo Alto, located in Leon. Data from various literature sources were analysed, specially from "El Ciclo Vital en España. Encuesta del Ateneo de Madrid, 1901-1902" and "Anuario General de España Bailly-Bailliere- Riera, 1930 and 1944". As complementary information, a field work was carried out in which -thanks to the data provided by "people who knew"- the role played by midwives could be followed and compared in three different moments: 1901, 1950 and 2002. Finally, this article is aimed to contribute if only modestly to "Anthropology of Nursing", deepening into culture of care during the first stage of the vital cycle.