Tuesday 5 May 2026 marks the International Day of the Midwife (IDM). On this day we celebrate the incredible contributions of our midwifery colleagues who contribute so richly to the delivery of world-class, multidisciplinary maternity care across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

In honour of this occasion, this article spotlights early Australian midwife Mrs Mary Howlett, and some key objects relating to the history of midwifery held in RANZCOG’s historical collection. These items make a fascinating counterpoint for discussion when exploring the history of the field of midwifery.

Mary Howlett

Mary Livingstone Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She continued to practise as a nurse and midwife for more than 50 years, right up until 1920. Mrs Howlett attended up to 12 midwifery cases a year, and her general practice was to go to a patient at the start of labour, having been called for with a horse and buggy.^[1]

Despite working as a midwife since 1866, it was not until 1887, at the age of 46, that Mary Howlett undertook six month’s training at the ‘Melbourne Lying-In Hospital and Infirmary for Disease of Women and Children’ (later to be known as the Royal Women’s Hospital). This was not uncommon, with unqualified community midwives playing a role in maternity care throughout this transitional period.

In Victoria, it was not until 1893 that it was possible to undertake a Diploma in Midwifery. Far older than the usual trainees, Mrs Howlett was known familiarly as ‘Auntie.’ This training qualified her as a ‘monthly nurse’:

The ladies’ monthly nurse was a phenomenon of the Victorian era, and her job was to take over the care of the mother and her room about a week before the confinement, to assist the doctor in the labour and delivery, and stay afterwards for about three weeks.^[2]

Pictured here are Mary Howlett’s 1887 certificate, an apron used by Mary Howlett throughout her midwifery career, and Mary Howlett’s midwifery box. These are rare relics from early Australian obstetrical history. The certificate and apron were donated to the College by Mrs Howlett’s daughter, Margaret Howlett, in 1965. The box was subsequently donated to the College by Mrs Howlett’s descendants in the early 1990s and is currently on loan to the Museum of Australian Democracy as part of an exhibit at Old Parliament House in Canberra.

This International Day of the Midwife, RANZCOG extends its recognition to midwives for everything they do for the women and families we collaboratively care for.

As the story of Mary Howlett reflects, midwifery has long been grounded in dedication, adaptability, and close connection to community. Today’s midwives continue that legacy, working alongside obstetricians and broader maternity care teams to support women in navigating their journeys throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Only by working together, maintaining open, collaborative relationships and valuing each speciality’s unique contribution can we achieve the best outcomes. RANZCOG remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the midwifery profession — supporting multidisciplinary maternity care models which are built on mutual respect, shared expertise, and championing patient-centred outcomes.

[1] Forster FMC. Mrs. Howlett and Dr. Jenkins: Listerism and early midwifery practice in Australia. Med J Aust. 1965; 2(26):1047-1054. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1965.tb25435.x
[2] Forster FMC. Obstetrical and Gynaecological Australiana. Australian & New Zealand Supplement to History of Medicine. May 1971