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History of Midwifery in New Mexico: Partnership Between Curandera‐parteras and the New Mexico Department of Health
Author(s) -
Ortiz Felina Mychelle
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2004.12.001
Subject(s) - health department , mexico city , general partnership , public health , nursing , political science , medicine , sociology , ethnology , law
Curandera‐parteras (traditional Hispanic midwives) have been in northern New Mexico since before its statehood. In the 1930s, the New Mexico Department of Health began a valuable relationship with the curandera‐parteras through the Midwife Consultant Program. This article describes the relationship between the curandera‐parteras and the New Mexico Department of Health originating in the 1920s. The amenable and effective working relationship achieved between curandera‐parteras and public health during this time period helped create the positive support for midwifery that is apparent in New Mexico today.