HUMSS

Humanities and Social Sciences Strand

Mananabang: A Lifeline to the Poor

/ Schinker Pahugot

Known as 'mananabang' in local parlance, these revered traditional birth attendants have stood the test of time, maintaining their indispensable role in society despite the advancements in modern healthcare. Embodying the essence of tradition and the sanctity of their calling, mananabangs continue to shape childbirth practices with an artistry that transcends generations. A profound study entitled Tabang Mananabang: A Case Study of the Practices and Struggles of Selected Mananabang in Lapu-Lapu City delved into this cherished topic, featuring a timeless quote that encapsulates the heart of a mananabang's journey, as eloquently expressed by Donque et al. (2022): ‘Traditional birth attendant is a trade profession with a sacred mission.’

The realm of a mananabang's aid to women during childbirth is a wondrous journey filled with profound care and expertise. The study sheds light on a comprehensive array of services they offer, encompassing home birth assistance, traditional folk healing, invaluable advice, and post-birth assessments for both mothers and infants. One remarkable aspect of their approach is their meticulous attention to diet, where mananabangs provide specific guidance on what pregnant women should and shouldn't consume to ensure optimal health during pregnancy. Embodying the binisaya method of traditional folk healing, mananabangs skillfully employ a combination of herbs and hilot throughout the process, infusing each step with spiritual faith and trust, a testament to the deep bond they form with pregnant women who entrust their well-being to these skilled practitioners. The practice of hilot, a specialized skill among mananabangs, serves multiple essential purposes, from determining the child's gender to monitoring its position in the mother's uterus. Furthermore, hilot eases maternal pain and stress, while also skillfully mitigating potential complications like pagbuwa or uterine prolapse. The expertise of mananabangs extends to the use of gentle belly massages, known as 'pagliso,' a technique employed to reposition breached births, ensuring the best possible delivery outcome. Additionally, their strategic positioning during labor, called 'siugan,' serves as an indispensable means of providing crucial support to mothers during the childbirth process, emphasizing the depth of their unparalleled expertise. The extraordinary services offered by mananabangs are deeply rooted in tradition, passed down through generations, and guided by a profound understanding of women's needs during childbirth. Their holistic approach, blending centuries-old practices with unwavering dedication, showcases the timeless artistry that continues to resonate with mothers in need of compassionate and skilled care.

While upholding tradition, mananabangs actively prioritize hygiene and cleanliness in every procedure. The study highlights their openness to modern methodologies, integrating simple medical tools like surgical scissors, hemostats, and kidney bowls provided by the Lapu-Lapu City Government during childbirth. Alongside their traditional practices, they wholeheartedly encourage mothers to undergo monthly checkups, both prenatal and postnatal, ensuring comprehensive health throughout the childbearing journey. To ensure the well-being of mother and child, mananabangs seamlessly blend traditional and modern care, referring clients to the nearest barangay health center while never forgetting to emphasize the importance of taking vitamins for the overall health of both mother and baby. Their dedication goes beyond childbirth, as they also take on the vital role of registering the child's legal information and acquiring the much-cherished birth certificate.

Nevertheless, unwavering dedication encounters obstacles and circumstances that challenge mananabangs in providing optimal care to pregnant women during childbirth. The No Home Birth Policy of 2008 emerges as a significant hurdle, strictly prohibiting home births, especially those assisted by unlicensed midwives or mananabangs, with the aim of reducing maternal mortality rates. Unfortunately, this policy presented challenges and financial constraints, leading some mananabangs to cease their practices, regretfully declining pregnant women seeking their expertise. Financial instability looms due to some clients not providing adequate compensation, and legal fears further compound their apprehensions of going against the law. The mananabangs' admirable understanding of the policy's intent, seeking the well-being and safety of all, reflects their commitment to a larger societal good. Despite the protocol's impact on their livelihoods, some mananabangs now rely solely on their families for sustenance. Moreover, the harshness of societal judgment and false accusations inflicted by others, including local health department officials, further demoralize them. Yet, amidst these challenges, their conviction to serve remains strong, as one mananabang bravely asserted that the No Home Birth Policy poses a formidable threat, deeply affecting their vocation and damaging their reputation and dignity.

Through unwavering determination, mananabangs continue to be a lifeline to the poor, preserving a treasured legacy of compassionate care that transcends time and resonates with the hearts of those they serve. Their unwavering dedication and resilience amidst modern challenges make them invaluable pillars in the tapestry of childbirth care in our society. The mananabangs, known locally as traditional birth attendants, exemplify a profound commitment to preserving their sacred calling in the face of modern healthcare advancements. Throughout generations, these dedicated caregivers have shaped childbirth practices with a remarkable blend of tradition and artistry.

Undeterred, mananabangs continue to be a lifeline to the poor, preserving a treasured legacy of compassionate care that transcends time. Their dedication and resilience remain unwavering, making them invaluable pillars in the tapestry of childbirth care in our society. As time marches on, their sacred calling will persist, eternally shaping childbirth practices and touching the hearts of those they serve with unyielding devotion.