PURPOSE:
To classify the elements contained in the professional bag donated to the Museum of History of Medicine of the University of Pavia, belonging to an Italian midwife, Maria Baldratti, graduated in 1911 at the University of Milan, living and working during the 1920’s; her tools and techniques exemplify accessible maternal care, highlighting midwives as vital agents of resilient health systems, past and present.

DISCUSSION:
Each item contained in the bag has been cataloged according to the fields representing the core of the Ministerial card for the description of the historical Scientific Heritage (description, functionality, mode of use, material, technique and the measures). Not disposable tools included: 1 surgical pliers, 3 Kocher clamps, 1 pointed scissors and 1 blunt-tipped scissors, 2 metal urinary catheters and 2 rubber urinary catheters, 1 Pean pliers, 1 little glass bottle for antiseptic liquid, 2 amber-colored little bottles for iodine, 1 stitch remover, 1 nail file, 1 little box with a rubber patch, 2 enema cannulas and for vaginal irrigations, 1 container for enema, 1 metal speculum, 1 Pinard obstetric stethoscope, 1 razor, 1 arcella, 1 densimeter, 2 ampoules, 2 glass cannulas.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The history of midwifery offers a unique and insightful perspective on the evolution of medical care, rooted in skilled hands, simple tools and community-based practices. Long before the rise of high-tech interventions, midwives provided essential maternal care with minimal yet effective equipment. In an era of climate crisis and increasing global emergencies, these practices offer a model of sustainable, low-cost healthcare.

KEY MESSAGE:
This study, conducted by historians and a practicing midwife, reconnects us with the roots of midwifery and offers a powerful reminder: in times of ecological instability, midwives remain a crucial, sustainable force in maternal healthcare. Their history is not just of the past, but a pathway forward. Poster session 4 (Group B)