In rural and remote communities of Latin America, ancestral practices such as midwifery have been passed down from generation to generation. In these areas, where geographical barriers and cultural differences can hinder access to healthcare centers, the practical and spiritual support of traditional midwives can make the difference between life and death.

Responding to maternal warning signs in hard-to-reach areas is possible through the use of tools such as the Pinard stethoscope, an instrument used to listen to fetal heart sounds, a measuring tape to assess uterine height during pregnancy, and vital sign monitors known as “cradles,” designed for community healthcare workers and calibrated with a mechanism that helps identify potential pregnancy emergencies, such as preeclampsia (a hypertensive disorder that can occur during pregnancy and postpartum). READ MORE