My name is Dominga Granado. I’m 51 years old and have been a traditional midwife for 29 years in Paraiso, Kukra River in Nicaragua. My work as a midwife allows me to give basic care to a mother before and after birth. I visit families to counsel them on safe pregnancy and childbirth. If there are complications, I refer them to a health center. If an emergency occurs, I organize the community to evacuate a pregnant woman to the health center.
I work with AMC and recently attended a six-day training at the government’s Ministry of Health center in San Francisco la Aurora. The government and AMC often work together, but through this Abundant Health initiative, they have developed a firm partnership. Together, they are helping to better equip local health clinics.
Working together
At first, I was nervous. I didn’t know how the health workers would receive me. As health professionals, would they welcome me? Would they accept my traditional practices?
I’m glad to say that my confidence and knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth grew with the support of the Ministry of Health workers. I shared my traditional work experiences, and they shared their scientific practices. We learned the value of each other’s work and realized that together we can better serve the women in our communities.
As a midwife, I learned that we lack vital information in our traditional methods. Some of these practices in our community can be harmful to the mother and baby, and this needs to change. However, there are also many positive aspects of our traditional practices, and midwives have done much to support the health of our community.
