Search

Childbirth was traditionally developed within the family environment which means where the parturient (the pregnant woman) lived her experience, personal and transferable together with her close relatives: mother, girl friends, being attended by a 'professional' - another woman or midwife well considered and recognized as such socially as professionally. In our country, up to the latest period of XX century, midwifes were professionals in charge of attention to women in their reproductive cycle at their own homes, focussing primarily in the pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum periods. Midwifes were very much considered and well regarded women in affective and technical-scientific fields, capable of solving vital, difficult and in some cases dramatic situations with no other means than their own experience, their own skilfulness and knowledge. With new economic developments, in the sixties, in XX century and new health concepts, a fundamental change in childbearing takes place, no more faced or approached domestically, in family environments but in specialized health institutions with all the implied impacts. Important changes equally affecting the mother and her attending personnel occur, now medical doctors and specially trained midwifes would attend her. As a result the traditional ancient midwifes see their roles, functions and autonomy limited. At present, we are facing new ways of 'thinking andregarding' childbearing with new attitudes in professionals who attend them, as well as governments who design new health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]