Comparing Pregnancy in Guatemala vs. US

Pregnant women in Guatemala seem to have a very different experience than women in the US. these differences are mainly reflected in the differences discussed in the paper of midwifery vs. hospitalization. In Guatemala, a pregnancy is treated much more holistically than it is in the United States. I think in the United States has lost a certain aspect of having a baby that midwifes in Guatemala are very in tune with. The creation and birth of a new being has always been a pretty miraculous event and it seems that the midwifes acknowledge and respect this miracle. They are dedicated to their profession and see it as more of a calling.

I found this perspective to be very interesting. For myself as a hopeful doctor, I tend to think of the process of pregnancy in very clinical terms. I often think of Obstetrics as simply another specialty. This article made me realize that it can be about a lot more than just that. I couldn't help but thinking I wanted some of that personal and accommodating care that the Guatemalan midwifes provide.

Not only is the prenatal care different in Guatemala, but the attitudes of the women are also very different. The woman who miscarried was not devastated, but simple understood that there was nothing to be done. She was able to move forward and try again. In general women in the US are devastated by a miscarriage and may have trouble bouncing back from such a devastating blow. I think the Guatemalan woman's attitude may be attributable to her religious beliefs and also that idea that a pregnancy is a miraculous event and that complications are to be expected. Again in the US we have been able to advance the pregnancy and birthing process to have low risks of miscarriage and death. However, being aware of the Guatemalan perspective might be beneficial to women in the US.

I think women in the US have a lot that they could learn and subsequently benefit from the attitudes of women in Guatemala. No matter how advanced we come in our understanding of pregnancy I never think it hurts to remember the basics of what is happening. A new life is being brought into the world and the significance of this is reflected much more in Guatemala.