Safe birth in cultural safety in southern Mexico: a pragmatic non-inferiority cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Available research on the contribution of traditional midwifery to safe motherhood focuses on retraining and redefining traditional midwives, assuming cultural prominence of Western ways. Our objective was to test if supporting traditional midwives on their own terms increases cultural safety (respect of Indigenous traditions) without worsening maternal health outcomes. METHODS: Pragmatic parallel-group cluster-randomised controlled non-inferiority trial in four municipalities in Guerrero State, southern Mexico, with Nahua, Na savi, Me'phaa and Nancue ñomndaa Indigenous groups. The study included all pregnant women in 80 communities and 30 traditional midwives in 40 intervention communities. Between July 2015 and April 2017, traditional midwives and their apprentices received a monthly stipend and support from a trained intercultural broker, and local official health personnel attended a workshop for improving attitudes towards traditional midwifery. Forty communities in two control municipalities continued with usual health services. Trained Indigenous female interviewers administered a baseline and follow-up household survey, interviewing all women who reported pregnancy or childbirth in all involved municipalities since January 2016. Primary outcomes included childbirth and neonatal complications, perinatal deaths, and postnatal complications, and secondary outcomes were traditional childbirth (at home, in vertical position, with traditional midwife and family), access and experience in Western healthcare, food intake, reduction of heavy work, and cost of health care. RESULTS: Among 872 completed pregnancies, women in intervention communities had lower rates of primary outcomes (perinatal deaths or childbirth or neonatal complications) (RD -0.06 95%CI - 0.09 to - 0.02) and reported more traditional childbirths (RD 0.10 95%CI 0.02 to 0.18). Among institutional childbirths, women from intervention communities reported more traditional management of placenta (RD 0.34 95%CI 0.21 to 0.48) but also more non-traditional cold-water baths (RD 0.10 95%CI 0.02 to 0.19). Among home-based childbirths, women from intervention communities had fewer postpartum complications (RD -0.12 95%CI - 0.27 to 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Supporting traditional midwifery increased culturally safe childbirth without worsening health outcomes. The fixed population size restricted our confidence for inference of non-inferiority for mortality outcomes. Traditional midwifery could contribute to safer birth among Indigenous communities if, instead of attempting to replace traditional practices, health authorities promoted intercultural dialogue. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered ISRCTN12397283 . Trial status: concluded.

In many Indigenous communities, traditional midwives support mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and some days afterwards. Research involving traditional midwives has focused on training them in Western techniques and redefining their role to support Western care. In Guerrero state, Mexico, Indigenous mothers continue to trust traditional midwives. Almost half of these mothers still prefer traditional childbirths, at home, in the company of their families and following traditional practices. We worked with 30 traditional midwives to see if supporting their practice allowed traditional childbirth without worsening mothers' health. Each traditional midwife received an inexpensive stipend, a scholarship for an apprentice and support from an intercultural broker. The official health personnel participated in a workshop to improve their attitudes towards traditional midwives. We compared 40 communities in two municipalities that received support for traditional midwifery with 40 communities in two municipalities that continued to receive usual services. We interviewed 872 women with childbirth between 2016 and 2017. Mothers in intervention communities suffered fewer complications during childbirth and had fewer complications or deaths of their babies. They had more traditional childbirths and fewer perineal tears or infections across home-based childbirths. Among those who went to Western care, mothers in intervention communities had more traditional management of the placenta but more non-traditional cold-water baths. Supporting traditional midwifery increased traditional childbirth without worsening health outcomes. The small size of participating populations limited our confidence about the size of this difference. Health authorities could promote better health outcomes if they worked with traditional midwives instead of replacing them.

Making Women into Protagonists: Midwives Reimagine the Mexican Childbirth Narrative.

I examine midwives' interpretation of - and efforts to reimagine - the contemporary Mexican birth narrative. Throughout my research, midwives argued that, for birth outcomes to improve, women need to become "the protagonists of their own births". I analyze midwives' creative representations of how birth is and could be, and argue that the counter narrative they promote reveals the conditions within which they believe women can become empowered. By centering women's choice as the measure of success, this counter narrative stands in contrast to development initiatives and contemporary biomedical approaches to care. It also emphasizes the continued need for midwifery in Mexico. Examino los esfuerzos de parteras mexicanas para reinventar la narrativa mexicana sobre el nacimiento. Las parteras dijeron que, para que los resultados del parto mejoren, las mujeres deben convertirse en "las protagonistas de sus propios partos". Analizo las representaciones creativas de las parteras acerca del nacimiento, y sostengo que la contra-narrativa que promueven revela las condiciones dentro de las cuales creen que las mujeres pueden empoderarse. Al centrar el poder de las mujeres como la medida del éxito, esta contra-narrativa contrasta con las iniciativas de desarrollo y los enfoques biomédicos contemporáneos. También enfatiza la necesidad continuada de partería en México.

Using paired cultural modelling and cultural consensus analysis to maximize programme suitability in local contexts.

Cultural consensus analysis (CCA) is a quantitative method for determining cohesion in a specified cultural domain and cultural modelling (CM) is a method for designing and testing connections within a cultural domain based on qualitative data collection. After a description of the methods, and examples of their application, we provide a description of three main points in the programme planning, implementation and evaluation cycle at which the method can best be utilized to plan, contextualize or evaluate programmes and policies. In addition, the use of CCA and CM is not constrained to one point in time though, in order to maximize its ability to help with programme design or evaluation, it ought to be done as early as possible in the process. Through examples from research, and a broader description of the methods of CM and analysis, we provide another tool for global public health practitioners, planners and policymakers. We argue these tools can be used to great effect in a short period of time to maximize the local suitability, acceptability and quality of proposed and implemented interventions, building on existing local strengths, not just in maternal health but, more broadly.

"This policy sucks and it's stupid:" Mapping maternity care for First Nations women on reserves in Manitoba, Canada.

First Nations women who live on rural and remote reserves in Canada leave their communities between 36 and 38 weeks gestational age to receive labor and birthing services in large urban centers. The process and administrative details of this process are undocumented despite decades of relocation as a routine component of maternity care. Using data from 32 semistructured interviews and information from peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and public documents, I constructed a descriptive map and a visual representation of the policy. I present new and detailed information about Canada's health policy as well as recommendations to address the health care gaps identified.

Evaluation of an Australian Aboriginal model of maternity care: The Malabar Community Midwifery Link Service.

BACKGROUND: The urban-based Malabar Community Midwifery Link Service integrates multidisciplinary wrap-around services along-side continuity of midwifery care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies. AIM: To evaluate the Malabar Service from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2014. METHODS: A mixed method design. Outcomes for mothers of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander babies cared for at an urban Australian referral hospital by the Malabar Service were compared to mainstream. Primary outcomes are rates of low birth weight; smoking >20 weeks gestation; preterm birth; and breastfeeding at discharge. Malabar outcomes are also compared to national and state perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: The Malabar Service (n = 505) demonstrated similar rates of preterm birth (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 0.96-4.97); breastfeeding at discharge (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 0.61-1.86); and a higher rate of low birth weight babies (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.02-12.9) than the comparison group (n = 201). There was a 25% reduction in smoking rates from 38.9% to 29.1%. Compared to national and state populations, Malabar outcomes were better. Women experienced greater psychosocial complexity but were well supported. Malabar Mothers (n = 9) experienced: accessibility, preparedness for birth and cultural safety. Staff (n = 13) identified going 'above and beyond' and teamwork to provide culturally safe care counterbalanced with concerns around funding and cultural support. CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated integrated continuity of midwifery care with wrap-around services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mothers is highly valued and is culturally safe. The service is as safe as main stream services and promotes better clinical outcomes compared to national and state outcomes.

"Our culture, how it is to be us" - Listening to Aboriginal women about on Country urban birthing.

BACKGROUND: Birth on Country is often assumed as relevant to Aboriginal women in rural/remote locations and not usually associated with urban environments. In Western Australia, one third of the Aboriginal population live in the greater metropolitan area. We wanted to know Aboriginal women's experiences of on Country urban births. METHODS: Indigenous qualitative data collection and analysis methods were used to learn about Aboriginal women's stories of contemporary and past experiences of maternity care and cultural practices associated with Birth on Country. RESULTS: Aboriginal Birthing, Senior and Elder women consistently reported ongoing cultural practices associated with childbirth including knowledge sharing across generations and family support, observance of extended family present at the time of or shortly after birth, and how their cultural security was improved when Aboriginal staff were present. Also noted, were the inflexibility of health systems to meet their needs and midwives lack of cultural awareness and understanding of the importance of Aboriginal kinship. CONCLUSION: The Birthing on Noongar Boodjar project Aboriginal women's data represents four generations of women's stories, experiences and expressions of childbearing, which highlighted that maternity care changes across time have failed to acknowledge and support Aboriginal women's cultural needs during childbearing. In terms of on Country urban birth, the women collectively expressed a strong desire to maintain cultural practices associated with childbirth, including birthing close to home (on Country); having family acknowledged and included throughout the perinatal period; and, having access to Aboriginal midwives, nurses, doctors, and other health care workers to support their cultural security.

Regulating Traditional Mexican Midwifery: Practices of Control, Strategies of Resistance.

The institutionalization of Mexican midwifery has a long history. Despite global recommendations moving away from training traditional midwives, training courses still continue. Based on fieldwork in the State of Chiapas, I argue that while ongoing trainings offered to traditional midwives in Mexico aim at teaching them best practices, they also limit midwives' autonomy and keep poor women's reproductive behaviors under control. I demonstrate how midwives and medical personnel mobilize discourses of reproductive risk, women's rights and indigenous cultural rights to reinforce or contest mechanisms of reproductive governance.

Entre Demografia e Antropologia: povos indígenas no Brasil / Between Demography and Anthropology indigenous peoples in Brazil

Oitavo livro da coleção Saúde dos Povos Indígenas, Entre Demografia e Antropologia: povos indígenas no Brasil apresenta profundas avaliações sobre as dinâmicas populacionais indígenas. A coletânea levanta contribuições que indicam que os escassos dados demográficos de décadas atrás se tornaram mais abundantes, passando a fomentar políticas públicas. Em suas abordagens, a obra passa por pesquisas e conhecimentos multidisciplinares, que vão de questões de migração, mobilidade e dinâmica territorial até a contextualização de dados censitários e a forma como a população indígena é retratada nos censos demográficos do Brasil. A antropóloga Marta Azevedo ressalta a importância de "buscar uma maior participação da população indígena na produção de dados e análises demográficas". Segundo ela, tão estratégico quanto continuar a fomentar a realização de uma demografia indígena é formar demógrafos indígenas no país. O anseio expressado pela autora e organizadora aparece no último capítulo do livro, que é dividido em três partes: Perspectivas a partir do Campo, Dados Censitários em Contexto e Trajetórias, Categorias, Implicações.

Canada's evacuation policy for pregnant First Nations women: Resignation, resilience, and resistance.

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal peoples in Canada are comprised of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Health care services for First Nations who live on rural and remote reserves are mostly provided by the Government of Canada through the federal department, Health Canada. One Health Canada policy, the evacuation policy, requires all First Nations women living on rural and remote reserves to leave their communities between 36 and 38 weeks gestational age and travel to urban centres to await labour and birth. Although there are a few First Nations communities in Canada that have re-established community birthing and Aboriginal midwifery is growing, most First Nations communities are still reliant on the evacuation policy for labour and birthing services. In one Canadian province, Manitoba, First Nations women are evacuated to The Pas, Thompson, or Winnipeg but most - including all women with high-risk pregnancies - go to Winnipeg. AIM: To contribute scholarship that describes First Nations women's and community members' experiences and perspectives of Health Canada's evacuation policy in Manitoba. METHODS: Applying intersectional theory to data collected through 12 semi-structured interviews with seven women and five community members (four females, one male) in Manitoba who had experienced the evacuation policy. The data were analyzed thematically, which revealed three themes: resignation, resilience, and resistance. FINDINGS: The theme of resignation was epitomized by the quote, "Nobody has a choice." The ability to withstand and endure the evacuation policy despite poor or absent communication and loneliness informed of resilience. Resistance was demonstrated by women who questioned the necessity and requirement of evacuation for labour and birth. In one instance, resistance took the form of a planned homebirth with Aboriginal registered midwives. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need to improve the maternity care services that First Nations women receive when they are evacuated out of their communities, particularly when understood from the specific legal and constitutional position of First Nations women in Manitoba.

Service providers' experiences of disrespectful and abusive behavior towards women during facility based childbirth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Disrespect and abuse (D&A) of women during childbirth by the attending staff in health facilities has been widely reported in many countries. Although D&A in labor rooms is recognized as a deterrent to maternal health service utilization, approaches to defining, classifying, and measuring D&A are still at an early stage of development. This study aims to enhance understanding of service providers' experiences of D&A during facility based childbirth in health facilities in Addis Ababa. METHODS: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2013 in one hospital and three health centers. A total of 57 health professionals who had assisted with childbirth during the study period completed a self-administered questionnaire. Service providers' personal observations of mistreatment during childbirth and their perceptions of respectful maternity care (RMC) were assessed. Data were entered into and analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. RESULTS: The majority (83.7%) of participants were aged <30 years (mean = 27.25 ± 5.45). Almost half (43.9%) were midwives, and 77.2% had less than five years experience as a health professional. Work load was reported to be very high by 31.6% of participants, and 28% rated their working environment as poor or very poor. Almost half (50.3%) of participants reported that service providers do not generally obtain women's consent prior to procedures. One-quarter (25.9%) reported having ever witnessed physical abuse (physical force, slapping, or hitting) in their health facility. They also reported observing privacy violations (34.5%), and women being detained against their will (18%). Violations of women's rights were self-reported by 14.5% of participants. More than half (57.1%) felt that they had been disrespected and abused in their work place. The majority of participants (79.6%) believed that lack of respectful care discourages pregnant women from coming to health facilities for delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate that most service providers from these facilities had witnessed disrespectful practices during childbirth, and recognized that such practices have negative consequences for service utilization. These findings can help decision makers plan for interventions to improve RMC taking account of the provider perspective.

Challenging the colonisation of birth: Koori women's birthing knowledge and practice.

BACKGROUND: The 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination for social and cultural development. This fundamental right has been impeded worldwide through colonisation where many Indigenous peoples have had to adapt to ensure continuation of cultural knowledge and practice. In South East Australia colonisation was particularly brutal interrupting a 65,000 year-old oral culture and archives have increasing importance for cultural revival. AIM: The aim of this research was to collate archival material on South East Australian Aboriginal women's birthing knowledge and practice. METHODS: Archivist research methods were employed involving a search for artefacts and compiling materials from these into a new collection. This process involved understanding the context of the artefact creation. Collaborative yarning methods were used to reflect on materials and their meaning. FINDINGS: Artefacts found included materials written by non-Aboriginal men and women, materials written by Aboriginal women, oral histories, media reports and culturally significant sites. Material described practices that connected birth to country and the community of the women and their babies. Practices included active labour techniques, pain management, labour supports, songs for labour, ceremony and the role of Aboriginal midwives. Case studies of continuing cultural practice and revival were identified. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of Aboriginal women's birthing practices and knowledge is crucial for reconciliation and self-determination. Challenging the colonisation of birthing, through the inclusion of Aboriginal knowledge and practice is imperative, as health practices inclusive of cultural knowledge are known to be more effective.

Maternal cultural practices for neonates' care in upper Egypt.

PROBLEM: Little is known about the home practices and care given to neonates born in Egypt. BACKGROUND: Two thirds of all infant deaths in Egypt occur in the neonatal period and many of these deaths occur in the home environment out of sight of health care providers. Understanding cultural practices and beliefs about caring for neonates may help direct appropriate interventions to improve infant outcomes. AIM: To describe maternal cultural care practices used with neonates and highlight harmful practices in order to identify areas of required change in care. METHODS: A descriptive study using a convenience sample of 200 women recruiting from outpatient pediatric facilities in Qena, Egypt. Face to face interviews were used to gather data. FINDINGS: More than one third (37.5%) of the studied women given birth in the home, and a traditional birth attendant assisted with the majority of home births (90%). Breast-feeding was delayed between 1 and 4days in 27% of the women and they were more likely to use cultural practices, rather than modern medical practices, for neonatal eye and umbilical care. Maternal cultural practices used in the home can be categorized as being harmful, beneficial, and as having no-effect on neonatal health based upon available evidence. DISCUSSION: A variety of cultural practices are used by women for neonatal care in upper Egypt. Many of these practices may have a negative effect on neonatal health and should be discontinued. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive interventions are needed to modify women' care practices.

Atención del parto y del puerperio inmediato con pertinencia intercultural / Care of childbirth and immediate puerperium

PROPÓSITO: Explorar los factores que influyen en la aplicación de la interculturalidad con respecto a la atención del parto y puerperio inmediato en personal médico y paramédico, comadronas y usuarias del Centro de Urgencias Médicas (CUM) de Tecpán, Chimaltenango, abril-mayo 2017. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cualitativo con diseño etnográfico. Se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad al personal de salud y usuarias del CUM y grupos focales con comadronas. Se evaluó la infraestructura de las salas de parto y posparto. RESULTADOS: En el personal médico y paramédico se evidenciaron saberes limitados acerca de la pertinencia cultural, descrita en las Normas de Atención con Pertinencia Cultural. Se contó con el 65% de los elementos de infraestructura y equipo de la sala de partos culturalmente adecuada. Las comadronas percibieron una atención deficiente y refirieron poco interés y capacitación del personal del servicio de salud. Las usuarias opinaron que existe una buena relación con el personal de salud, sin embargo no se les brindó una atención con adecuación cultural. CONCLUSIONES: Los factores que influyen en la implementación de las prácticas interculturales son de índole económica principalmente, además de aspectos estructurales, organizaciones y socioculturales.

PURPOSE: To explore the factors that influence the implementation of interculturality in regards to care during childbirth and the immediate postpartum period, in medical and paramedical staff, traditional midwives and patients of the Center of Medical Urgencies (CUM), Tecpán, Chimaltenango, April-May 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative study with an ethnographic design. In-depth interviews with medical staff and patients of the CUM were carried out in addition to focal groups with traditional midwives. The infrastructure of the birthing room and postpartum ward were evaluated. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: The medical and paramedical staff showed limited awareness of cultural pertinence, as described in the Norms of Attention with Cultural Pertinence. The birthing room satisfies 65% of the criteria of infrastructure and equipment of a culturally pertinent birthing room. The traditional midwives perceived deficient patient care and identified a lack of interest and training of the health staff. The patients experienced a good relationship with the health staff, but declared a lack of cultural adequacy in the attention. The factors that influence in the implementation of intercultural practices are principally of economic nature, in addition to structural, organizational and sociocultural aspects.

The Meaning of Giving Birth: Voices of Hmong Women Living in Vietnam.

Increasing knowledge about the sociocultural context of birth is essential to promote culturally sensitive nursing care. This qualitative study provides an ethnographic view of the perspectives on birthing of Hmong mothers living in the highlands of Vietnam. Unique cultural beliefs exist in Hmong culture about the spiritual and physical world as well as ritual practices associated with childbearing. This includes variations of ancestor worship, reincarnation, and healing practices by shamans. Traditionally, Hmong families take an active role in childbirth with birth frequently occurring in the home. Situated within a large collaborative anthropology project, a convenience sample of 8 Hmong women, who had recently given birth, were interviewed regarding the perinatal experience. In addition, ethnic traditional birth attendants (midwives) and other village women contributed perspectives providing richly descriptive data. This ethnographic study was conducted during 6 weeks of immersed participant observation with primary data collection carried out through fieldwork. Data were analyzed to derive cultural themes from interviews and observations. Significant themes included (1) valuing motherhood, (2) laboring and giving birth silently, (3) giving birth within the comfort of home and family, (4) feeling capable of birthing well, (5) feeling anxiety to provide for another child, and (6) embracing cultural traditions. Listening to the voices of Hmong women enhances understanding of the meaning of childbirth. Gaining greater understanding of Hmong cultural beliefs and practices can ensure childbearing women receive respectful, safe, and quality care.

"The First Intervention Is Leaving Home": Reasons for Electing an Out-of-hospital Birth among Minnesotan Mothers.

The Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul), Minnesota, has seen a recent increase in the number of mothers seeking an out-of-hospital birth. This research uses in-depth interviews with 24 mothers who intended an out-of-hospital birth in the previous two years, exploring their reasons for pursuing an alternative approach to birth. For many women, an out-of-hospital birth fits within a philosophy that rejects the pathologizing of birth. Escaping rigid hospital protocols is seen as critical to avoiding what many mothers described as unnecessary interventions. In addition, homebirth midwives are perceived as offering more holistic care for the expectant and new mother. Home itself is seen as providing a more pleasant and calm, family-friendly atmosphere than a hospital, helping the mother relax, with the expectation that this will expedite labor. Many of the recommendations developed here have applicability to improving hospital birth experiences as well as furthering our understanding of out-of-hospital birth.

Longitudinal Trends in Childbirth Practices in Ethiopia.

Objectives This study examines the influence of women's birth practices on their daughters' location of childbirth in Ethiopia, investigating the importance of intergenerational patterns of care on contemporary birth practices. Methods A qualitative survey of women aged 60 and over in three cities in Ethiopia. Results Nearly all first generation women gave birth at home, but the majority of their daughters give birth in facilities. Perceptions of childbirth practices among both women and their daughters have shifted towards facility births, despite the prevalence of home birth in the previous generation. Conclusions Birth culture has experienced a profound shift in Ethiopia within one generation, especially in urban areas, where health facilities are more easily accessible. Older generations of women have positive attitudes towards facility birth, and can help influence their daughters to give birth with medical assistance. This aligns with both national and global maternal health policies which promote safe motherhood through facility birth.

Racial disparities in birth care: Exploring the perceived role of African-American women providing midwifery care and birth support in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Midwifery care has been linked to positive birth outcomes. Despite the broad racial disparities in maternal and infant outcomes in the United States (US), little is known about the role of minority women in either providing or receiving this type of care. A vibrant community of minority women, who self-identify as providing these services, exists online. In this exploratory study we ask how they describe their role; view their practice; and position themselves in the broader discussions of racial health disparities in the US. METHODS: Using an internet mediated qualitative design we analyse online narratives from self-described African-American nurse-midwives, lay midwives and birth assistants; we found 28 unique websites. We collected and analysed narrative material from each site. We used a thematic analysis approach to identify recurrent and emergent themes in relation to the study question. RESULTS: Narratives identified a strong link to the past, as providers viewed their practice in a historical perspective linking African roots, to the diaspora, and to current African-American struggles. Providers engaged both in direct clinical work, and in activist roles. Advocacy efforts sought to expand numbers of minority birth care workers and to extend the benefits of woman-centred birth care to underserved communities. CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate the continued existence and important role of diverse types of African-American birth care providers in minority communities in the US. Recognition, support, and increasing the number of midwives of colour is important in tackling racial inequalities in health. Further research should explore minority access to woman-centred care.