Decades ago, most Virgin Islands mothers gave birth at home with the help of a midwife or a doctor.
Today, that has changed. VI midwives have international certifications, and they typically deliver babies in a hospital.
Road Town resident Carmelita O’Neal, who is currently the oldest certified midwife in the territory, was recognised last Thursday during a ceremony marking International Midwives Day at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.
“Midwifery is a very bloody profession. It is a very technical and serious job, but the joys it offers outweigh most of the challenges,” Ms. O’Neal said during an interview on Monday.
When she became a nurse at the age of 17, Ms. O’Neal was required to do midwifery as part of her training, she explained. “You had to observe about 10 cases, then carry out 10 deliveries under supervision,” she said.
See the May 10, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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