Speaker: Brenda Araujo Salas
Facilitator: Paloma Terra
A partir de las ilustraciones elaboradas por Yaquemilsa Matiashi Vicente, una joven madre del pueblo Matsigenka, perteneciente a la amazonía peruana, describiremos las prácticas tradicionales en salud materna que aún se mantienen vigentes en las comunidades más alejadas de la vida moderna. Se describirán las concepciones y prácticas culturales durante la primera menstruación, los cuidados en el embarazo, la atención del parto por parte de la familia y parteras, y los cuidados en el posparto.
Conocer gráficamente las prácticas en salud materna a través de la mirada de una mujer del mismo pueblo, nos permite visualizar detalles significativos que se dan en la los cuidados de las mujeres gestantes y los recién nacidos. La importancia de este material es educativa y en favor de una mejora en la atención del parto para fundar la comprensión y el respeto a las costumbres y participación de las parteras y especialistas tradicionales de salud, ya que, actualmente, gran parte de las comunidades amazónicas tienen acceso a establecimientos de salud, pero estos ofrecen servicios sin pertinencia cultural. Por otro lado, el material también permite el reconocimiento de la importancia de los conocimientos de las mujeres Matsigenka en los niños, niñas y adolescentes.
English:
From the illustrations elaborated by Yaquemilsa Matiashi Vicente, a young mother of the Matsigenka people, belonging to the Peruvian Amazon, we will describe the traditional practices in maternal health that are still in force in the communities farthest away from modern life. We will describe the cultural conceptions and practices during the first menstruation, pregnancy care, childbirth care by the family and midwives, and postpartum care.
The graphic presentation of maternal health practices through the eyes of a woman from the same village allows us to visualize significant details in the care of pregnant women and newborns. The importance of this material is educational and in favor of an improvement in childbirth care, in order to establish understanding and respect for the customs and participation of midwives and traditional health specialists, since, at present, most Amazonian communities have access to health facilities, but these offer services without cultural relevance. On the other hand, the material also allows the recognition of the importance of Matsigenka women’s knowledge in children and adolescents.
Recording: https://youtu.be/voZyHiTevvw
Speaker: Maria Velo Higueros
Facilitator: Stella Katuku
Abstract:
Purpose: Freebirth or unassisted birth is currently defined as the deliberate choice to give birth without a regulated healthcare professional in countries where maternity care is available and easily accessible. Empirical evidence on this practice is limited and has mostly focused on understanding women’s motivations to freebirth as a matter of individual choice. Previous traumatic experiences, alongside rejection of medicalised models of care and trust in the birth process have been identified as factors influencing women’s choice. Yet, there is limited evidence on how women experience maternity care in the pregnancy leading to freebirth and the impact this care has on their choice. Methods: A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted to explore women’s perceptions of maternity care provision and their experiences of care when choosing to freebirth. 22 publications between 2008 and 2023 and from ten different high-income countries were included. Thematic synthesis, underpinned by a feminist standpoint, was used to analyse the data. Results: Freebirth was rarely women’s primary choice. Faced with restrictive policies, inequitable access, and unequal power relationships with care providers, women used peer support and engaged in extensive research to develop their self-care agency. Becoming midwives to themselves generated a sense of personal transformation and empowerment. Conclusion: When healthcare services fail to provide unrestricted, equal and free access to a wide range of maternity care options, women’s choice to freebirth becomes a matter of reproductive justice. Self-care in the form of freebirth helped women to achieve a safer birth experience and to protect their reproductive self-determination
Recording: https://youtu.be/N4-EZr3j4bw
