MIDWIFERY

Traditional Midwives in Tamaulipas

Traditional Midwives in Tamaulipas

Introduction

In this paper we are going to analyze the concept of midwifery, inside the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. It is in the 1970's when the government of Mexico took some measures for encouraging the midwives working inside the state of Tamaulipas, through the implementation of extensive training programs for them. As a result of which the midwifery practice, and identity inside Mexico has been the target of constant transformation. In Tamaulipas there are two systems of care delivery: the formal and traditional. The second survives given the low care coverage of events related to pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period by the formal system, and cultural factors. 

However, despite the consolidation of traditional midwifery and the figure of the midwife in remote rural areas and marginal urban areas in the country is still a scientific ignorance of this event that takes current importance as it is one of the intervening in presenting mortality and maternal and perinatal morbidity. This paper aims to discuss about the need of addressing the issue of research in midwifery and traditional midwives. It presents the limited research breakthroughs in this area, some outstanding balances arising from scientific research to answer and the possible contribution that traditional midwifery could make to improve the health of women (Torri, 2011).

Research Hypothesis

In this research it is hypothesized that the midwives with no professional training lack the qualities, which are possessed by a trained midwife.

Traditional midwives are more effective community actors as they don't charge much, whereas trained midwives provide a high quality of care by they charge too much for their services.

Background of the Research

In Tamaulipas, there are two systems of care in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum: the formal health system and the traditional. The traditional system, although it is not recognized by the first, owes its existence, on the one hand, to the incomplete coverage for the care of women and unsatisfied demand for events of pregnancy by the formal system. The other factor is the cultural barriers between health professionals and the population, both rural and ethnic origin.

In Tamaulipas there is no clear policy regarding traditional care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum or on midwives. However, the difficulties of access for women and the health system coverage, they often become the only option for women and children to be served. Their existence and consolidation, often try to hide, or others, are strongly criticized by health professionals given their informal practice without science and out of institutions (Jordan, 1997).

Only two formal institutional actions are within the traditional care-associated gestation in Tamaulipas. In 1984, the Ministry of Health created a program of formal training of midwives. This was established as a strategy to improve the coverage of care and reduce maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality, since that time, a third of births in rural and marginal areas of the country were attended by midwives. However, their coverage is unknown implementation and evaluation thereof. For 2009, the National Institute of Health (INS 2009), under ...