Alaga sa Hilot: Unraveling Local Knowledge, Practices, and Experiences on Pregnancy and Childbirth in a Community in Batangas, Philippines

Abstract

Objective. This research aims to unravel the local knowledge, practices, and experiences of care during pregnancy and childbirth in one community in Batangas.Methods. Qualitative interviews with two hilots and a mother, two focus group discussions with mothers fromdifferent generations, and indigenous research methods – pakikipagkwentuhan (story-telling or informal discussions with the locals) and pagmamasid (observations of the local practices in the community) were used in this ethnographic study. The data gathered through these methods were analyzed using an interpretive approach.Results. Data showed that knowledge and practices related to pregnancy and childbirth which were viewed as rituals remain to be significant in the community because they are sources of psychological support in a highly intimatesituation. These practices also help in creating a feeling of security and safety during this very uncertain period. The data also showed the different ways of making sense of risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth and this affects the decisions made by mothers, midwives and hilots during birthing. Lastly, we saw the effects of the implementation of the no home birthing policy on the hilots and the life and well-being of the pregnant women in the community.Conclusions. Local practices of care during pregnancy and childbirth remain significant today because these cater to the overall well-being of women giving birth. For these women, the implementation of the no home birthing policy that changed the status of the hilots (TBAs) in the community does not address the real issues on maternal healthcare. For them, the government should have focused on continuing to address the structural and institutional problems that they have encountered in their experiences of birthing. This can be done by providing more facilities that would readily cater to the needs of birthing women and by creating a more holistic healthcare system.