title: Midwifery training to improve ante- and perinatal health in low- and middle-income countries of the former Soviet Union.
abstract: Whether in the community or in the hospital, high-quality midwifery care is the preferable model of care for mothers and babies at the first level of care. Countries with professional midwifery care within a supportive system have the best outcomes for mother and babies. The low- and middle-income countries of the former Soviet Union report some of the highest maternal mortality and neonatal mortality in the European region, yet childbirth occurs in institutions with 'skilled attendants' (96-100%). Specific characteristics of maternal and neonatal care in countries of the former Soviet Union include over-medicalization, inappropriate use of technology, unnecessary hospitalizations, and ineffective and/or harmful interventions. This article highlights two midwifery trainings developed specifically to change the maternal and newborn care practices in countries of the former Soviet Union: the Family Centred Maternity Care Training of Trainers and the World Health Organization Essential Antenatal, Perinatal and Postpartum Care Training.
authors.affiliation: polli@earthlink.net
authors.forename: M Pauline
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Glatleider
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D018743:Perinatal Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014586:USSR; D014944:World Health Organization