Education & the Role of Traditional Midwives
Traditional Midwives are women who practice midwifery as it has been handed down to them from generation to generation. Most are illiterate and have little formal training, but much of the worlds’ population has passed through their hands.
Most NGOs and models of education in Africa and Haiti function along a continuum of colonization and charity, which assume a ‘west is best’ mentality. For example, in the 1990’s the well-meaning organization World Vision implemented trainings to traditional birth attendants in basic western obstetrics. These trainings were meant to lower infant and maternal mortality, but in doing so, almost eradicated use of ‘traditional’ midwifery without offering sustained access to education or resources that make replacing it with western practice a reality.
Most NGOs and models of education in Africa and Haiti function along a continuum of colonization and charity, which assume a ‘west is best’ mentality. For example, in the 1990’s the well-meaning organization World Vision implemented trainings to traditional birth attendants in basic western obstetrics. These trainings were meant to lower infant and maternal mortality, but in doing so, almost eradicated use of ‘traditional’ midwifery without offering sustained access to education or resources that make replacing it with western practice a reality.
For example, midwives were told not to use the traditional blade of grass to cut umbilical cords after birth, but instead to use razor blades. When the donated razor blades ran out, the midwives did not return to using blades of grass, but used rusty razors and babies began to die of infection. At the end of the World Vision trainings, the traditional midwives were attempting to practice midwifery like Western doctors- women pushed their babies out flat on their backs even through a shoulder dystosia when a hemorrhage occurred, they waited for drugs that were not there. They were given training manuals written in English when most of the midwives do not read or write, let alone speak English. As a result of these failed trainings, maternal and perinatal mortality skyrocketed and the birth attendants are currently being asked to refer all clients to the nearest hospital, which is sometimes 50k away. Women cannot be expected to walk that far in labor. Additionally, the hospitals are not set up to serve the number of women that would come to birth there if the traditional birth attendants made these referrals. The result is a confusing and dangerous set of messages and services for both laboring women and health care providers.
Despite government pushes towards hospital births, it is estimated that 80% of births in rural areas take place with traditional birth attendants, which makes them critical health care providers and crucial to community restoration efforts.
In response to this, Mother Health International works closely with traditional midwives to create a model of midwifery that combines renewable practices from the West and practical traditional methods as well. The result are culturally competent, government recognized birth centers. We believe that holistic and restorative reproductive care is essential to a future of peace and development.
Despite government pushes towards hospital births, it is estimated that 80% of births in rural areas take place with traditional birth attendants, which makes them critical health care providers and crucial to community restoration efforts.
In response to this, Mother Health International works closely with traditional midwives to create a model of midwifery that combines renewable practices from the West and practical traditional methods as well. The result are culturally competent, government recognized birth centers. We believe that holistic and restorative reproductive care is essential to a future of peace and development.
