Thus, midwives often taught upcoming midwives through their personal experiences.[2] From the time they were small girls, women who would later become midwives were present at the births of other siblings and they observed the birthing process performed by the midwife or other female family members. Greilsammer writes that within Medieval art the midwife was shown with her medical instruments, but rarely in the act of her practice. Commonly the midwife's tools included scissors, linens, trays, baskets, and a birthing stool.[6] Men were not allowed to view this birthing process.