Answer:
The reference here is to the story in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. The midwives who refused to kill Hebrew babies were named Shiphrah and Puah. In the story, the Pharaoh of Egypt orders the Hebrew midwives to kill all male babies born to the Hebrews, but Shiphrah and Puah refuse to carry out the order, citing the fact that the Hebrew women give birth before they arrive to help. As a result, the Hebrew babies are saved and the midwives are rewarded by God for their courage and compassion.