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How did forceps affect competition between physicians and midwives?

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Midwives assisting a birth while astrologers consult sky charts; woodcut relief print from Jakob Rueff's De conceptu et generatione hominis (1554; The Expert Midwife). — midwifery Midwives assisting a birth while astrologers consult sky charts; woodcut relief print from Jakob Rueff's *De conceptu et generatione hominis* (1554; *The Expert Midwife*).

The introduction of forceps significantly altered the competitive landscape between physicians and midwives starting in the 18th century. While the presence of men in the birthing room was initially viewed as offensive, physicians leveraged their ability to offer pain relief and their specialized use of obstetric tools to gain a competitive advantage.1

Physicians actively promoted the benefits of forceps, arguing that they were more qualified than midwives to manage complicated deliveries requiring such instruments. This professional positioning was reinforced by legal restrictions in some countries, where it was illegal for women to utilize these obstetrical tools. Consequently, these factors—combined with the physicians' claims of superior expertise in handling difficult procedures—induced many middle-class women to choose male physicians over midwives for their care. This shift contributed to the broader development of obstetrics as a recognized medical discipline, eventually leading to the professionalization of childbirth services.12