Chapter 281 A Meaningful Career
"I'm saying all this so that I can ask everyone here, regardless of the outcome of today's exam, to speak up for our Women's Association."
If any young women need help, please come to our alliance. We will definitely help if we can.
Next, the head steward of the alliance, Jiang Meihua (Sister-in-law Li), will explain to everyone how the midwife examination is conducted.
After Li's mother finished speaking, she stepped back. Li's sister-in-law, who had been waiting on the side, raised her hand to smooth her dress. After Li's mother came over, she patted her arm to show encouragement before going straight to the platform.
Sister-in-law Li first bowed to the people sitting around before loudly proclaiming, "I am Jiang Meihua, and I am in charge of the Women's Assistance Association."
Earlier, when we mentioned that admission to this midwifery school required an exam, we already informed everyone that a registration form was necessary for even being considered.
Looking at the dozens of brightly dressed women in front of her, Sister-in-law Li knew that her mother was right when she heard what her mother had said.
"Although there were seventy or eighty people, only forty-eight people actually received the forms."
The remaining twenty or thirty people probably just wanted to come and see what was going on with this midwife school that Third Sister had set up.
They're all just here to test the waters. If things look good later, they'll probably be really keen to get in.
As Sister-in-law Li spoke, the above thoughts kept running through her mind.
"However, all who come are guests."
Those who didn't register and therefore didn't receive a number are also guests of our alliance.
Therefore, those of you without a number, just stand by and watch; our midwife examination will be fair and impartial.
At this point, it was Li Ersao's turn to go on stage and assist her. Although Li Ersao's cheeks were flushed, she still endured her shyness and boldly came to the side of the high platform where Li Dasao was standing.
The women sitting around were wondering why Li Ersao had come over when they heard Li Dasao on the high platform explain, "The person standing next to me is Wu Lan (Li Ersao), the second manager of our alliance." At that moment, Li Ersao bowed to everyone.
"Next, when I explain the process of our midwife examination, Manager Wu will demonstrate it for you."
Then, as Li San Niang had arranged, Sister-in-law Li explained to everyone the three main parts of the midwife's exam, what each part included, and how it was scored.
"...The above three items are the content of today's midwife exam. Finally, based on the scores, the top ten will be selected as students of the first term of the Midwife Academy."
Before Sister-in-law Li could finish speaking, the group of women sitting around burst into enthusiastic chatter.
From Li's mother to Li San Niang, seeing such a scene was not unexpected; everything was within expectations.
When Li San Niang designed these three tests, she knew they would cause controversy.
Therefore, Li San Niang felt that the behavior of everyone present was exactly what she expected and that everything was under control.
At this moment, Xiao Silang, following Li Erxiong's instructions, struck the small gong and shouted, "Aunties and grandmothers, be quiet! Be quiet!"
After waiting a moment, and until the women sitting in the courtyard gradually quieted down, Li Ersao raised her voice and said, "That concludes the content of this midwife exam. Next, Doctor Li will give a speech."
When it was Li San Niang's turn to enter, she nodded at Li Da Sao's gaze and gracefully stepped onto the platform.
Li San Niang first bowed before addressing the crowd: "I am Li Mingfang, and I currently work as a physician in the Third Hall of the Medical Alliance in Yongping Ward."
"It is my honor that you all have come to support me in this midwife's examination today, and I am deeply grateful for your presence."
After speaking, Li San Niang bowed her head and gave a solemn salute.
Let alone those who genuinely wanted to learn midwifery techniques, even those who didn't have a number and just wanted to follow others to this gathering could feel the respect that Li's mother and Li San Niang showed to the women who came today, and their gratitude for their presence.
Sitting in the southwest corner of the courtyard, Ding, the midwife, leaned close to Cen and whispered, "Even if they weren't selected today, I doubt the people who came here will have much to complain about."
Look at what Third Sister Li is saying! She's a female doctor, yet she holds midwives in such high regard; that shows her thoughtfulness.
This time, Cen, the midwife, not only nodded in agreement, but also replied, "You've forgotten that Zhao Dani herself is a midwife. Li San Niang has watched her mother deliver babies since she was a child, so how could she look down on midwives?"
"Oh, now that you mention it, you're absolutely right."
I was so impressed by the reputation of the female doctor, Third Sister Li, that I forgot all about this.
Although some of the women sitting around whispered among themselves, it did not interrupt Li San Niang's speech.
"Since I started working at the clinic, I have treated quite a few young women."
Among these, there are quite a few illnesses related to childbirth.
Once, after delivering a baby for a woman in Yongpingfang who was having a difficult labor, I became even more determined to pass on the birthing techniques I knew.
Most of you here have given birth yourselves. You know that childbirth is like passing through the gates of hell. If you get through it, everyone is happy. If you don't, it could very well be a tragedy for both mother and child.
I am a mother, and now I am the mother of a little girl;
I am also a doctor, a female doctor who specializes in treating women.
I know that life is hard for women, but does that mean childbirth is easy for women?
It's certainly not easy.
Therefore, the importance of midwives is evident in this process.
Among those of you here are people with years, decades, or even more experience as midwives. You must have all encountered difficult situations in your profession, including women experiencing difficult labor. Experienced and lucky ones might have managed to save them, while less fortunate ones might have lost their babies but survived—though sometimes both mother and child could die.
Li San Niang's words were truthful and genuine, resonating with everyone present.
For example, Yao Qingqing thought of a woman she had helped deliver a baby earlier. The baby in that woman's womb came out feet first, and even the method of rubbing the belly to turn the baby back, which Su Hui (Yao Qingqing's mother) taught her, could not save the woman.
After the amniotic fluid was drained, the fetus had suffocated and died. The woman was also exhausted. She had planned to take medicine to induce labor, but instead, she suffered a massive hemorrhage and died along with the fetus.
"But it must be said that it is precisely because of the presence of midwives that when women encounter problems during childbirth, there are people there to help them deliver the baby, ensuring the safety of both the woman and the child."
The profession of midwife truly involves dealing with life and death; it is an extraordinary and meaningful profession.
Because this child is the future of a family, the hope.
And in this world, only women can give birth to children.
In our Great Tang Dynasty, only when healthy women give birth to healthy children can the Tang Dynasty have a population. Whether it is a young man or a young woman, they are all good and can ensure the continuation of the Tang Dynasty, generation after generation.
"I'm saying all this simply to tell everyone here that midwifery is an indispensable profession. This profession not only brings you money, but it's also your small contribution to the Tang Dynasty. Every woman who ensures a safe delivery and gives birth to another child contributes to the strength of our Tang Dynasty."
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