Midwives?

I do not believe that there are any legal CNMs in the DR. I don't believe that they are recognized here. Although the country would benefit greatly if they were.
SHALENA

I agree - as in most other places there is a tradition of midwifery (parteras) where a woman in the community would adopt the role without any sort of formal medical training but as most births are now institutional (98%, according to the statistic quoted in the other thread from the ENDESA 2007 health and development survey) this is certain to have died out.

I know my mother-in-law gave birth to some of her children at home (1950s and 1960s) with the help of a partera, but you don't hear about this happening any more.

It's unfortunate that the folk midwife role has not evolved into a recognised profession as it has in the UK, for example. In DR hospitals and clinics the health professionals involved in childbirth, and pre and post-natal care are doctors, and nurses whose qualification level and role is more like that of orderlies.

I asked for it to be moved to Living on the grounds that it was a health-related question. Will send it back.

I don't see anything in the Ley General de Salud 42-01 (Health Law) that would prohibit it. However, they would have to be authorized, as any other health personnel, by the Ministry of Health.