Overview of the regulation and organization of obstetric care after the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule

Information for nursing staff, 2024, 56(1), 56-64.

Zh. Pavlovska

Department of Health Care, Affi liate Veliko Tarnovo, Medical University – Varna

Abstract. During the Bulgarian Revival period, the Bulgarian city municipalities and women societies pursued a wide charitable activity and sent intelligent young men and women abroad to study as doctors and midwives, who laid the foundations of obstetric care after the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Objective: To present and analyze the regulation and organization of obstetric care in Bulgaria in the fi rst years after Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. A documentary, historical method and a review of archival documents have been used. The fi rst health care law in the Principality of Bulgaria is “Temporary Rules for the Organization of the Medical Administration in Bulgaria” from 1879, compiled by Dr. Dimitar Mollov, which stipulated prevention and provision of obstetric hospital care. Subsequent regulation of midwifery activities is ordered by the Dr. Grimm’s “Instruction for Midwives Practicing in the Country” of 1882, the “Sanitary Law” of 1888 and the resulting “Regulations for Sanitary Services” of 1889. Most comprehensively, the practice of the midwife is presented in the “Regulations for the Rights and Duties of Midwives” from 1904, where the intervention of the fi rst independent professional organization “Midwifery” is described. In parallel with the regulation, midwifery care in Bulgaria is developing – from private practice of midwives graduated abroad to municipal midwives and hospital midwives, who graduated in Bulgaria.

Key words: midwifery care, fi rst laws, organization, health legislation

Address for correspondence: Zhana Pavlovska, е-mail: zhana.pavlovska@mu-varna.bg