Here's a very interesting program
Even though I wanted a natural childbirth and had a birthplan and thought I had it all figured out that I could do it, mind over matter, my body did not co-operate, and after 40 hours of labour the doctor told me "Yes!" When I said thru my tears "Am I going to have to have a c-section?"
Women used to die during childbirth, it was very common. Today with all the knowledge available and hospitals, the risk is much lower. But imagine living in the jungle, where everything is natural, but perhaps there is no clean water, or because of encroaching pollution from outsiders or all the other elements that hinder education in these matters. Perhaps the elders haven't been able to pass on their knowledge. I can see where a program like this would be very helpful as long as the women can retain there heritage and value but keep themselves and their children healthy and alive.
Jungle Mamas
http://www.pachamama.org/jungle-mamas/
Purpose and Vision
The purpose of the Jungle Mamas Program is to empower indigenous women and their communities, to ensure safe birthing and the health and well-being of the Achuar people. We view empowerment of Achuar women as the unifying element to ensure success on joint projects and to build the capacity to become self-sustaining.We consciously build into all our initiatives the opportunity for women’s leadership to emerge.
Our main focus to date has been saving lives of mothers and babies by teaching prevention, recognition and response to pregnancy and birth emergencies.
We have done this by addressing the urgent issues of maternal deaths, infant morbidity and family planning, as well as broader family and community health concerns.
Background
“We used to think we HAD to go into the jungle alone to birth our babies. Now, thanks to Jungle Mamas we know there’s a better, safer way.”One of the most persistent and prevalent development issues globally is reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
— Achuar participant trained as birth attendant
The women and communities of the Amazonian rainforest also face these challenges. This situation is directly related to the undervaluing of women and girls’ contributions to society and their lower social status.
Read more here http://www.pachamama.org/jungle-mamas/
Contact Jungle Mamas
Margaret Love, margaret@pachamama.org, 510.558.0994
The Pachamama Alliance
