title: [Pregnancy, delivery and puerperium: beliefs and practices of midwives in San Luis Potosi, Mexico].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the beliefs and practices of traditional midwifes in regard to pregnancy, delivery and puerperium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Taking advantage of a training course for 160 local traditional midwives from the Media and Huasteca regions of San Luis Potosí State, Mexico. Two of the teacher-nurses interviewed 25 of them, supported by a member of Náhuatl and Tenek communities. The participant's identity was kept anonymous and permit for publications of results was obtained by informed consent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Traditional midwifes practices are common in social groups lacking health services. Their role is not limited to delivery and includes nursing, prenatal and puerperium care, as well as emotional and affective support to delivering mothers and their families. In this study several myths and traditional therapies were registered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The traditional therapy and primary health care resources of the Náhuatl and Tenek midwifes are useful and harmless for the perinatal care.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Diseño y Modelos Alternativos de Atención, Dirección de Salud Comunitaria y Bienestar Social, Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México. bpelcast@correo.insp.mx
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pelcastre
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Villegas
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De León
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santillana
authors.forename: Juana de los Angeles
authors.initials: Jde L
authors.lastname: Mejia
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D008880:Midwifery; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011364:Professional Practice