Simulation in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Midwifery

La Machine: Obstetric Phantoms of Madame Du Coudray … Back to the Roots

“… 5 , 14 Basically, the term phantom or fantôme seems to originate from an artistic model of a pregnant woman by the wax sculptor Marie Marguerite Bihéron (1719-1795), which she presented to the Académie Royale des Sciences in Paris in 1770. 2 , 7 The Swiss medical historian Prof. Urs Boschung defines the term phantom as follows: “On the so-called phantom, a replica of the birth canal and the mature fetus, the child positions were demonstrated and diagnosed, manual delivery and the application of forceps were practiced.”. 7 In 1803, Dr. Elias von Siebold established ten requirements for a “well-furnished phantom”.…”

“…1 Probably the first obstetric phantom, albeit comparatively rudimentary but functional, can be attributed to the Swedish physician Johann van Hoorn (1661-1724), who was documented to have used a preserved female pelvic preparation with a child mannequin for teaching purposes in the early 18 th century. 2 , 4 , 7 In the further course of the 18 th century, obstetric phantoms were finally created throughout Europe in the most diverse implementations. 2 , 8 , 15 To date, the most sophisticated obstetric phantom of the French midwife Angelique Marguerite Le Boursier du Coudray - La Machine - stands out and requires special attention in retrospect.…”

“… 2 , 4 , 7 In the further course of the 18 th century, obstetric phantoms were finally created throughout Europe in the most diverse implementations. 2 , 8 , 15 To date, the most sophisticated obstetric phantom of the French midwife Angelique Marguerite Le Boursier du Coudray - La Machine - stands out and requires special attention in retrospect.…”

“…1712-1794) (see Figure 1 ) was officially registered as a midwife in Paris in February 1740, where she initially practiced. 2 , 16 – 18 In 1751 she followed the call of a wealthy, philanthropic landowner and from then on worked in a rural area. 2 , 17 , 19 In October 1759, Madame du Coudray was commissioned by King Louis XV to educate rural midwives in view of the high infant mortality rate in his kingdom and the accompanying population decline – at that time, approximately 200,000 newborns died annually in rural France due to insufficient, obstetric expertise.…”

“…1 For 300 years now, obstetrics has drawn on the concept of simulation training to not only teach anatomy and physiology theoretically, but to literally infuse it practically. 2 Obstetric educational models, so-called phantoms, are approved worldwide and their enormous added value has been proven countless times. Today, it is impossible to imagine obstetrics teaching without them, they are well-established, have even become essential and, moreover, enjoy great popularity among the medical and midwifery professions.…”