This microproject will provide 30 fetal Dopplers to 35 rural midwives, locally known as comadronas, who currently share only five devices while caring for 130 pregnant women. The Dopplers will help them measure fetal heart rates more reliably, especially when hearing loss makes traditional listening difficult, recognize warning signs sooner, and strengthen referrals for clinic or hospital care. Deliveries in groups of about 10 will begin improving care right away.
ATC has worked for years with traditional midwives serving rural communities near Comalapa, Guatemala. The midwives identify families for ATC's solar-home program and previously received five fetal Dopplers from ATC. Those five devices are now shared among many midwives. Some also have hearing loss, making traditional listening difficult. When a Doppler is unavailable, warning signs may be missed and referrals delayed or discounted.
This project will remove a major limit on the midwives' ability to serve their communities by giving them reliable access to fetal Dopplers. At every prenatal visit, they can check the baby's actual heart rate, reduce uncertainty and stress for mothers and midwives, recognize warning signs sooner, and make stronger referrals when hospital care is needed.
In many rural communities, a midwife may be the only trained healthcare provider a family regularly sees. Fetal Dopplers will extend the working lives of experienced midwives whose hearing has declined, preserve their knowledge, improve prenatal checks, support earlier referrals, and strengthen the health of mothers, babies, and the wider region.
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