Midwives experience in the province of Azuay, Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the experience of midwives, as well as to know the care recommended by midwives during pregnancy control, at the time of delivery and postpartum in the province of Azuay-Ecuador, year 2022. A qualitative, descriptive and analytical study was applied, where by means of testimonies information was collected from midwives in the province of Azuay-Ecuador, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of assisted birth at home. The information was analyzed to subsequently review various bibliographic sources and compare the various care models in Latin America. 3 midwives with experience in the practice of ancestral medicine between 30 and 48 years old participated, who have been developing this activity due to personal, spiritual and social factors. The midwives of Azuay have extensive knowledge and experience in pregnancy care and childbirth care, have worked together with the health sub-centers and have been part of the various training programs offered by the government, which allows them to be prepared to address complications that arise during this process. The knowledge of midwives in the province of Azuay comes mainly from experiences they have acquired over time, thus maintaining the tradition of different communities that believe that receiving their children at home gives them greater benefits than going to the health sub-centers. Their dexterity comes in the first instance from their ability, practicing this activity on their own initiative and mainly by observing people close to them.