Peruvian midwives explore the future of birth care
In the bustling town of Mala, nestled under the watchful eye of Lima's skyline, a transformative journey unfolded at our recent workshop, "Futuros del Parto" (or: Birth Futures) in April 2024. As one of the pillars of the Birth Futures project, our goal for this workshop was clear: to revolutionize healthcare innovation in birth care through social dreaming.
More than thirty midwives from the region, spanning both private and government institutions, as well as those working outside of the system, eagerly participated in this groundbreaking event, made possible by the generous support of the College of Midwives of Lima-Callao and Creative Industries NL.
Envisioning ‘good’ births of the future
Led by myself, Marjolein, alongside my the unabrazen María José Julia Sánchez Aguilar (Majo for short) and knowledgeable Susana Ku Carbonell, our workshop was held on 18 and 19 April at the oasis of the La Hacienda Hotel in Mala, just south of Lima. From the outset, our aim was to envision a future where holistic, human-centered practices are empowered by technology and supported by integrated services. Through a dynamic blend of methodologies, including personal mapping, group brainstorming, dance, and meditation, we embarked on a journey of collective imagination and exploration.
Planting seeds
Together, we delved deep into the future of birth care, envisioning a world where women have autonomy and agency in childbirth, supported by governmental policies and integrated services. From personal narratives to collaborative artworks, each contribution reflected a shared commitment to reimagining the birthing experience. As one of the participating midwives remarked: “You planted a seed, and now it is our job to take these seeds and distribute them, so they can take root.”
(c) Marjolein Pijnappels
Humanity-technology-community
Key outcomes of our workshop included the envisioning of multiple futures where midwives and their services are seamlessly integrated with artificial intelligence, symbolizing a harmonious fusion of human touch and technological advancement. Moreover, our participants highlighted the importance of community involvement and emotional well-being in the birthing process, emphasizing the need for holistic and culturally sensitive approaches to birth care. These ideas were transformed into art and displayed in an impromptu pop-up exhibit. The artwork was also exhibited in Lima during a keynote presentation to the College of Midwives.
(c) Saba Kusunoki
Laying the groundwork for transformative birth care
As we reflect on our journey, the success of "Futuros del Parto" is proof of the power of collaboration and collective vision. Together, we have laid the groundwork for a future where birth care is truly transformative, responsive to diverse needs, and rooted in imagination and collaboration. Next step: hybrid workshops in India.