Introduction: The Guatemalan maternal mortality rate is among the highest in Latin Americans, and lay midwives (LMs) attend home births. The study’s purpose was to explore LMs’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practices regarding obstetrical complications and emergencies. Method: In the remote Peten region, a descriptive ethnographic study held focus group discussions before education programs to teach/boost LMs’ awareness about obstetrical complications. The long-table approach of analyses developed a matrix of common themes. Results: Nearly 200 LMs participated in 11 groups. Six themes emerged: LMs attribute their knowledge to God, recognize signs of obstetrical danger, want more training and equipment, encounter resistance from a patriarchal culture, feel fear and despair in addressing obstetrical complications/emergencies, and experience arduous logistics in emergency hospital transfers. Discussion: Contrary to published literature, LMs were able to verbalize basic knowledge of obstetrical complications. Information learned can guide future, action-research studies to address the maternal mortality rate in resource-poor settings.
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