Challenges

Obstetrics and Midwifery is very related to many aspects that are important to our country.

This career must take care for women, not only in their pregnancy, also in their sexual and reproductive development. As an obstetrician, i must learn how to use technological equipment, because we can do ultrasounds to check how the baby is coming or if the fetus might have a genetic malformation. With an ultrasound you can get images in 2D or 3D, being this last one a privilege for those who have enough money, so i guess this could be one critical issue that our government should resolve, every woman, and especially those who are pregnant, needs to have the same attention and medical resources to assure the good health of her baby.

Also, 40 years ago, many mothers died during labour, but now with technology and good professional attention, the death toll has declined.

In social matters, obstetricians play an important role. In every level of health attention, i mean public or private hospitals, we are seen as someone to trust, wich is very important because if our pacients feel safe and confident, they can tell us important aspects of their life and we can help them in a better way. Counselling, listening and general communication skills are essential in this career. Many mothers, especially new ones will need advice and support, so we have to be aware of the social and cultural context in wich childbirth takes place.

Midwifery has a unique position in the health care professions, the service we provide is invaluable, because we are in close contact with people and we can make changes in their lifes thinking of what they really need.

Obstetricians also work in education, and when i say education is to educate our society. We can teach in primary health centers things like: family planning, birth control, breastfeeding, maternal-baby links, how to use condoms and the most important how to prevent sexual transmitted diseades (STDs). In Chile, teenage pregnancy is a very common problem in health matters, this is related to poor people or young women in social risk. So we must prevent this, teaching and counselling in the use of contraceptives.

So the dessire to assist and interest in women and their families through all stages of pregnancy and sexual life, are two aspects that are required to study this career.

Midwifery is a rewarding and challenging career, but it also allows for flexibility of working in every part of the country.