Advancements in medicine has allowed us to give proper care for all sorts of situations especially giving birth. Traditional birthing practices are somewhat looked down upon because people think they are unsanitary or lacking in technical knowledge.
But midwifery is different. It provides a holistic approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing. Not all midwives have the fancy tools that modern hospitals provide but in their own ways, they get the job done which involves careful attention before, during, after pregnancy, and even on women's sexual and reproductive health throughout their lives.
Recently, the International Confederation of Midwives has given awards to five midwife champions in the world, one of which is Selamawit Lake Fenta, who is a midwife from Ethiopia. She shares here the struggles that midwives face in her country.
(Image credit: Ricmart 01/Wikimedia Commons)
I can understand the appeal of midwives for impoverished areas that cannot afford a hospital. But if modern medical facilities are available, the smart thing is to take them every time.