Bringing childbirth back home. Uruguay's "Ayiqueen".

ABSTRACT

PIP Ayiqueen was created in 1990 from three midwives' desire to provide women with an alternative to the increasing commercialization of prenatal and childbirth care. Attempting to increase the likelihood that the stages of pregnancy, labor, and childbirth will proceed normally and not necessitate interventions, the women promote and provide home birth and holistic care for parents throughout the entire pregnancy and postpartum period. Ayiqueen is based in Uruguay and is comprised of three midwives, a psychomotor development specialist, and three pediatricians. They have thus far attended the births of 18 couples. Childbirth education for the couple, partner collaboration, adequate prenatal care, high-quality health care, motivation of early mother-baby-father contact, motivation of breastfeeding, and adequate postpartum care are some elements of Ayiqueen's childbirth program. Neither enema, shaving, nor routine episiotomy is provided.^ieng