Women's Health Education: Midwifery

In 1994, when Shoulder to Shoulder first came to Intibuca, virtually all births took place in the home, often with the help of a local midwife. These dedicated local women gained their skills largely by experience, with little formal or informal training. Shoulder to Shoulder began a training program for the midwives who eagerly traveled to our clinic for all day educational seminars. This was the beginning of the woman's health program in Intibuca. Now there is a government push to have as many births as possible in our clinics because of the increased level of care. For many rural women who must walk for hours, in labor, to deliver at the clinics and leave their other children at home, this is just not practical. Continued education of this dedicated group of local women is vital to having good birth outcomes.