History

More than a century of history
The first regional midwife association in the Netherlands was formed more than a century ago: the Female Obstetrician Union (1898). In the twenties of the previous century, two umbrella organisations were formed: the Netherlands RC Association of Midwifes (1921) and the Dutch Midwives Union (1926). In 1975, both associations merged, forming the Netherlands Organisation of Obstetricians. In 1998, this association received the designation 'Royal': The Royal Netherlands Organisation of Obstetricians.

Diary of a seventeenth century obstetrician
Catharina Schrader was a Frisian obstetrician (1656-1746) who kept a log of the more than three thousand deliveries she guided. Her records show her level of expertise: she already performed external versions (turning the baby) and in four cases of the life-threatening placenta previa she was successful in saving the mother's life. In 2010, the Catherina Schrader Foundation, named after her and set up by the KNOV, celebrates its 30th anniversary. The foundation promotes scientific research in obstetrics, among other things.