ESTUDO SOBRE A ASSOCIAÇÃO DAS PARTEIRAS TRADICIONAIS DO MARANHÃO

Abstract

An ethnographic study about Associação das Parteiras Tradicionais do Maranhão (Maranhão Traditional Midwives Association) located in the district of Anjo da Guarda, Itaqui-Bacanga area, in the surrounding region of São Luís, capital of the state of Maranhão. In accordance with the account of 18 associated midwives, the research focused on investigating how the association was created, the relationship between the midwives and local health care municipal department, and the actions derived from such relationship. This study also points out the activities developed by traditional midwives that give assistance to pregnant and parturient women in Itaqui-Bacanga area, as a complement to the health services rendered by Serviço Público de Saúde do Hospital e Maternidade Nossa Senhora da Penha (Public Health Care of Nossa Senhora da Penha Hospital-Maternity). The research also focused on childbirth ritual performed by local midwives, considering such ritual as a result of empirical knowledge. The research points out that the tasks carried out by traditional midwives help pregnant women become conscious that they require prenatal care. It indicates that the procedures performed by midwives provide psychological comfort to pregnant and parturient women. The research also shows that these procedures humanize the attendance of such patients.