The instruments you use in the midwifery practice can be sterilized easily and quickly with an autoclave. But how exactly does an autoclave work? The sterilization process consists of a number of steps. First of all, the vacuum pump starts with a pre-vacuum program. This causes the air to escape from the sterilization chamber. The autoclave then fills the space with hot steam, which kills all bacteria. After sterilization, the steam is removed from the room with a post-vacuum. The sterilization process, also called autoclaving, has now been completed and all instruments are completely sterile.