The Darkest Light
Exploring the untold stories of birth and motherhood in Sri Lanka. Pushing back against stereotypes and stigmas of the "perfect mother". Challenging dominant cultural narratives about women, labour and child-care. Questioning medical and obstetric birthing practices. Searching for grassroots reproductive justice in South Asia.
The Darkest Light
Are Traditional Midwives History?
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Kanya D'Almeida
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Season 2
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Episode 2
There was a time when birth was spiritual. When birth attendants possessed knowledge of traditional ayurvedic medicines and practices. When the care of pregnant, laboring and postpartum women was provided by people who felt like family.
What happened to birth in Sri Lanka? And what happened to the women who were once at the center of this story and now exist almost entirely in the margins?
In our efforts to modernize maternal healthcare, what became of our traditional midwives?