Introduction
Alternative Treatment: Pregnancy and Childbirth
According to Dr Kumar Mahabir (2012), “traditional medicine versus alternative medicine is a subject of great scrutiny and speculation within the medical field and the general public. Though there are some medical experts who do embrace the use of natural therapies and products, the vast majority of physicians today still ridicule and belittle the use of alternative medicine despite its ever growing popularity.” Though traditional and alternative medicines both share the same objective — to keep the body strong and healthy, it is important to look at the positives and negatives within both branches of medicine before you completely discard it. A combination of the two, I believe, would be beneficial within our healthcare system (Daily Express, 2012).
In his latest book, ‘Traditional Medicine and Woman Healers in Trinidad’, Dr Mahabir explores the many facets of traditional and alternative medicine used in Trinidad. He focuses on both the formal and informal health care systems in Trinidad and Tobago as it pertains to post natal health care (Daily Express, 2012). “It is perhaps the first time these traditional practices have ever been documented in such detail. This type of medicine is still widely practised in Trinidad and Tobago however the numbers of traditional healers are decreasing. This is so because of the stigma attached to alternative medicine. It is considered not to be scientific and it does not have the prestige as conventional medicine does so you find that the young ones don't want to be associated with it (Daily Express, 2012). According to Dr Mahabir, traditional medicine is more drug and surgery oriented whereas with alternative medicine, it encompasses any healing practice that does not fall within the realm of conventional/traditional medicine. It is based more on historical and/or