Given limited medical resources in Guatemala, the appropriate use of providers is vital to improving maternal and infant outcomes. Traditional midwives continue to be the major source of maternity care, especially in rural areas. However, women with complicated pregnancies may need obstetrical care. In this paper, we explore how the nature and content of care during pregnancy and delivery differs between traditional and biomedical providers. Data come from the 1995 Guatemalan Survey of Family Health, which includes interviews with 2,872 women aged 18 to 35 in 60 rural communities of Guatemala as well as interviews with community informants and health providers in each community. Results indicate that midwives and government-sponsored facilities are major providers of regular pregnancy care, but additional care from doctors and nurses is often sought because of problems during pregnancy. Biomedical providers are much more likely to perform medical tasks and administer pharmacological treatments while midwives tend to use traditional practices and treatments such as massage and herbal remedies. Nonetheless, some midwives do use biomedical treatments and some practices that may be harmful under certain circumstances. These practices include: performing vaginal exams, administering injections to speed delivery, pushing on the stomach at delivery, putting powder/ointment on the umbilical cord, and tying up the woman's stomach after birth. We also found indications that women may not receive adequate information or explanation from doctors and nurses regarding injections received during hospital delivery.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe the content of various types of maternity care in rural Guatemala 2) Assess the appropriateness of care provided given a provider's training 3) Evaluate the integration of traditional and biomedical maternity care
Keywords: Maternal Care, Developing Countries
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.