Pioneer Women in Childbirth

Maria De Los Ángeles Chero (standing) and Ariela Waltzer seated (pregnant with her daughter), the first doulas of Peru.

Maria De Los Ángeles Chero and Ariela Waltzer pictured above are the first doulas of Peru. Dr. Angela Brocker is a doctor and a midwife in Peru who learned about doulas from living in Germany (where she is from originally) and decided to bring this tradition to Peru. In Lima, Peru, of all births in the private sector, the c-section rate is 85-90%, which is much higher than the national average of 35 to 40%. As a doctor in Peru, Dr. Angela Brocker witnessed a lot of obstetric violence and was even encouraged during her training to do practices against women that she did not agree with. In 2005, Dr. Brocker created a doula training program in Lima; Maria and Ariela were some of the first ladies to learn this tradition from Dr. Brocker at her birthing center, Pakarii. Both ladies continue to be doulas today and love it.

Ariela admits that in Peru doulas are not popular (compared to other countries) and that many women still do not know what a doula is, however, over the past fifteen years, more and more women are becoming aware of obstetric violence. She is happy to be one of the pioneers to support women.

What is a doula? How do they assist and benefit women? (Explained by Ariela)

A doula is a filter from the medical system to the mom. A doula filters info: what they are saying and what they are not saying, what to take and not to take. She is a translator and educator.
Someone to be empathic with you. Listen to you. Understand what you are going through: through the rollercoaster of emotions and physical sensations. Provides emotional support.
Someone who can embody your body. Someone who goes through the experience with you. It is the mother’s responsibility to birth the child, but the doula also channels the energy. They breathe together.
Someone who offers tools: massage, herbs, prenatal yoga, reflexology etc.
A doula is an advocate for the mother and baby’s health.

Ariela is the type of doula who is very open. She understands that life happens and that you don’t have to stick rigidly with a plan. She helps mothers to speak up during childbirth and not to get too stuck on only one way of giving birth, but to be open to the flow.

Ariela emphasizes the importance of finding the right OBGYNs or midwives to work with. Some doctors may rush to implement epidurals or c-sections right away when there is no need, pushing something that is not necessary. She encourages mothers to trust their instincts on how they feel around their doctor during pregnancy and if their doctors are not open to supporting them emotionally or hearing their wishes they can change doctors at any time before childbirth.

For first time mothers, Maria encourages mothers to enjoy the process, to remember that they have a marvelous power and they can experience it. From my interview, Maria reminds women, “They are giving birth, no one else. The doctors, nurses, doulas, OBGYNs don’t give birth, only the women. They shouldn’t give their power away to anyone else. To no one.”

If you are looking for a doula in Peru, consider working with Maria and Ariela. Maria lives in Lima, Peru and Ariela works a little in Lima from time to time, but lives in the Sacred Valley now. For Maria’s Instagram, click here.

Last words of wisdom from Maria about childbirth, “That’s where everything begins, in the childbirth. If you are delivered with love, your life is going to be about love. You are going to give love and love is going to move the world.”

To learn more about Maria, read my blog article: Empower Yourself, Hire A Doula.

If you would like to hear the full interview for Maria and Ariela in my new two book series about childbirth around the world, please subscribe to my list to be informed when the book has been published. Click here to join the mailing list.

Comment below. Do you have access to doulas in your country? Did you have a doula assist you with your pregnancy? Or your birth? Or postpartum? Did you have a good experience working with a doula?