Every May 5 the International Midworda day that pays tribute to those who accompany, take care and guide women in one of the most transcendental moments of their lives: pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The midwives not only attend births, but are key figures in sexual and reproductive health, the emotional accompaniment and health education of women.
Valladolid Tribune, on the occasion of this day, wanted give voice to one of these professionalswhose work is relegated to the background on several occasions despite its great importance. Laura García Caridad es Matrona and Supervisora of the Partyor at the University Clinical Hospital of Valladolidand in this interview he reviews his experience, reflects on the conditions in the profession and gives some advice to follow during pregnancy.
Question: What motivated him to be a midwife?
ANSWER: Well, it was something I had always wanted since childhood. Being accompanying women throughout their lives and processes as important as pregnancy and childbirth was something that I loved since childhood.
Q: How do you remember your first childbirth?
R: Yes, perfectly. I think it is something that never forgets. It was an uncomplicated childbirth of a girl who weighed more than four kilos, so imagine (laughs).
Q: How has the work of midwives changed in recent years?
R: In general it has changed a lot. In health we always implement new techniques and try to move forward and be at the forefront of scientific evidence. We always try, above all, to support the accompaniment, have a close relationship and that the woman establishes a relationship of trust with us so that this process of pregnancy and childbirth is as satisfactory as possible.
Q: What myths or erroneous ideas do you think society has on your role?
R: The figure of the midwife I believe that it is increasingly more valued, but that throughout history it has been little. It is true that women lately inform themselves of pregnancy and childbirth because it is a very crucial moment in their life and I think we are giving us a little more weight now, but we still have to recognize that importance. After all, we are the health personnel that are throughout women’s life, from adolescence to this case pregnancy. I wish they gave us even more weight.
Q: How does technology influence accompaniment to pregnancy and childbirth?
R: For pregnancy control, technology has helped us a lot. The last eradicos and the control systems, much more thorough, have helped us for pregnancies to be better controlled.
Q: Is there enough recognition for midwives in the current health system? (Working conditions, salary, …)
R: No. I think we are little recognized. There are autonomous communities that are beginning to recognize the specialties and economically recognize this specialty, but this is not yet a case of our autonomous community. It is a very important role with great responsibility to carry out a childbirth satisfactorily for the mother and for the child, since it is a moment of pressure in which many things can happen. We have a very big responsibility that I think is not recognized.
Q: What advice would you give to a pregnant woman who is about to give birth?
R: Well, they are informed, that they trust their midwife and try to enjoy everything they can.
Q: What would you say is the most common mistake of pregnant women throughout the process?
R: Well, I believe that women fortunately every day are reported more, but above all I recommend leading the healthiest possible life. That they have a balanced diet, remain active throughout the pregnancy and try to enjoy it as they can.
