The resident midwives and the students

When the centre opened, midwifery was still an independent degree lasting two years. Students were registered in an enrolment book, including a photograph and personal details and, sometimes, the name of the person who had recommended them. In the first student registry book, the first name registered was that of Carmen Palazón Daza, resident midwife, who came to Madrid from Malaga at Gálvez Ginachero’s request. The post of resident midwife was not permanent and, according to the first statutes, would last for three years although this could be extended in special cases. This must be what happened with Carmen Palazón, who joined the centre on April 14 1924 and left on August 24 1929. In the book it says that the midwife «has always stood out for her great self-sacrifice while fulfilling her professional duties, her behaviour being hard-working and a good example for those who have attended the School of Midwifery since it opened». The registry book also says that Carmen Palazón, midwife, was 28 years old when she joined and was single, as it was essential to have no family obligations to serve the institution well. In an interview 30 years later, she revealed that she slept in the same room as the mothers-to-be, separated by a screen.

As regards the students, the statutes established that only women between 18 and 30 years old could enrol to study in the centre, and married women could not attend, only single women and widows. Students who opted for boarding at the centre had to pay 3.50 pesetas a day, while day-students attended for free.