Image 1ACIS.jpg from the home birth gallery

Malik, Ratanakiri, Cambodia
A traditional birth attendant (TBA) sits at the entrance of a birthing hut as chol yeurch, aged 19 goes into labour with her third child.

Often elders of the village, TBAs are chosen or volunteer for the position. They are mothers themselves and are regarded with respect and authority in the community. In Malik, they have been given training by a local non-governmental organisation (Health Unlimited) and equipment such as gloves, scissors etc. They are competent in in non complicated deliveries and referring them to a local healthcentre.

The role of TBA's is vital to the maternal health of women around the world as they are often the only skilled and experienced care women in remote communities have access to.

Despite this the world health organisation has recently proclaimed against further training of traditional birth attendants; instead encouraging women to travel to health clinics and hospitals. This has led to a drastic reduction in funding for training of TBAs and provision of equipment.

In Malik however, transport to the local healthcentre is very difficult and for a woman in labour, can put her and the baby at risk. Women give birth at home with the aid of the TBA. Without the TBA, there would be no skilled birth care available.

Chol Yeurch had a 48 hour labour in which 3 TBAs were attending, ensuring the safe delivery of her healthy boy. She gave birth in a birthing hut. Used by every member of the Tampaun tribe in Malik, the birthing hut is built out of bamboo, erected during pregnancy and either burnt down after birth or kept for the next birth, depending upon the outcome of the delivery. The hut sits under the house which itself, sits on large wooden stilts. The hut is a sacred place, guarded by the Spirit of the House. Only women can enter this hut. A large hole is dug under the hut where twigs and foliage are placed. Once a woman enters established labour, her secretions drip down through the bamboo onto the foliage and twigs. The twigs are then set alight so the pigs and dogs do not go near the hut.

Chol entered the hut when she began contractions. She delivered a healthy boy and will stay in the hut for the next 40 days to recuperate and bond. Family ensure that she and the baby are kept warm and fed during this bonding process. The village celebrated this event by having a party for 2 days drinking rice wine and dancing.

Millenium Development Goal 5 aims to reduce maternal mortality by three quarters and give every woman the right to reproductive health (CHECK). However at the latest Global Health Summit, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation said “the world has not made a dent”

home-birth: Malik, Ratanakiri, Cambodia A traditional birth attendant (TBA) sits at the entrance of a birthing hut as chol yeurch, aged 19 goes into labour with her third child. Often elders of the village, TBAs are chosen or volunteer for the position. They are mothers themselves and are regarded with respect and authority in the community. In Malik, they have been given training by a local non-governmental organisation (Health Unlimited) and equipment such as gloves, scissors etc. They are competent in in non complicated deliveries and referring them to a local healthcentre. The role of TBA's is vital to the maternal health of women around the world as they are often the only skilled and experienced care women in remote communities have access to. Despite this the world health organisation has recently proclaimed against further training of traditional birth attendants; instead encouraging women to travel to health clinics and hospitals. This has led to a drastic reduction in funding for training of TBAs and provision of equipment. In Malik however, transport to the local healthcentre is very difficult and for a woman in labour, can put her and the baby at risk. Women give birth at home with the aid of the TBA. Without the TBA, there would be no skilled birth care available. Chol Yeurch had a 48 hour labour in which 3 TBAs were attending, ensuring the safe delivery of her healthy boy. She gave birth in a birthing hut. Used by every member of the Tampaun tribe in Malik, the birthing hut is built out of bamboo, erected during pregnancy and either burnt down after birth or kept for the next birth, depending upon the outcome of the delivery. The hut sits under the house which itself, sits on large wooden stilts. The hut is a sacred place, guarded by the Spirit of the House. Only women can enter this hut. A large hole is dug under the hut where twigs and foliage are placed. Once a woman enters established labour, her secretions drip down through the bamboo onto the foliage and twigs. The twigs are then set alight so the pigs and dogs do not go near the hut. Chol entered the hut when she began contractions. She delivered a healthy boy and will stay in the hut for the next 40 days to recuperate and bond. Family ensure that she and the baby are kept warm and fed during this bonding process. The village celebrated this event by having a party for 2 days drinking rice wine and dancing. Millenium Development Goal 5 aims to reduce maternal mortality by three quarters and give every woman the right to reproductive health (CHECK). However at the latest Global Health Summit, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation said “the world has not made a dent”