A Tale of Three Midwives: Inconsistent Policies and the Marginalization of Midwifery in Mexico

Abstract

Resumen Este artículo utiliza la investigación etnográfica colectiva para proporcionar una comprensión multifacética y multilocal de cómo los problemas actuales que enfrentan la partería y la salud de las mujeres en México reflejan una relación históricamente tensa entre las poblaciones marginadas y el Estado. Sostenemos que las parteras han sido obstaculizadas en su capacidad de mejorar sistemáticamente la salud materna como resultado de su relación desigual y cambiante con el estado Mexicano. Presentamos estudios de casos de tres parteras Mexicanas con diferentes antecedentes, acceso a capacitación y certificación, y relaciones con los sistemas de salud locales que estructuran cómo interpretan y negocian sus relaciones con las instituciones y políticas estatales. A medida que examinamos estas negociaciones, no perdemos de vista las formas en que las oportunidades, experiencias y desafíos de las parteras se entrelazan con las de las mujeres a las que sirven. Ambos existen en los márgenes del estado Mexicano, un espacio donde chocan sueños de modernidad y legados de desigualdad. [antropología social, género, partería, México, salud]

Between Cut and Consent: Indigenous Women's Experiences of Obstetric Violence in Mexico

“…State-sponsored birth centers have been set up in several municipalities in Chiapas; some are staffed by graduates from professional midwifery schools and are open to women with low-risk pregnancies for prenatal care, labor and delivery, while others are merely places for women to go into labor alongside officially certified traditional midwives. 30 Despite such efforts, the majority of women who give birth outside their homes are attended in public hospitals, where they routinely face mistreatment and abuse from health personnel. 31 methOds This article builds on thirteen months (2013-2015) of ethnographic research in Chiapas exploring the contemporary changes in the practice of Indigenous midwifery.…”

Racism against Totonaco women in Veracruz: Intercultural competences for health professionals are necessary

“…Mexican anthropologist Menéndez focused on the neglect of discrimination and racism in medical institutions [18]. These factors are forms of institutional violence and abuse of power, which are common racist practices in Mexico in favor of the modernization of the nation-state [47]. This violation is closely associated with the acceptability of health care, medical facilities, and resources.…”

“…In addition, health professionals associated indigenous culture with major health costs and social spending. For example, blaming traditional midwives' attention (as part of indigenous culture) for maternal mortality or indigenous women for the perceived insufficient family planning are personalmediated racist practices against indigenous women by the mestizo upper class in favor of the nation-state and its modernization [47].…”

Obstetric Violence: An Intersectional Refraction through Abolition Feminism

“…Obstetric violence already has its abolitionist movement, which continues to be neutralized, discredited, and appropriated by the obstetric institution. Black, Indigenous, minority, and independent midwives and doulas are our abolitionists (Zacher Dixon 2015, 2019). We must unite independent doula and midwifery movements and offer an abolitionist alternative to the obstetric institution.…”