A Local Midwife or a Doctor? Two Systems of Knowledge in Birthing Practices of Russian Old Believers

Abstract

The article explores complex relationships between traditional midwifery and medical institutions as two legitimate knowledge systems in the communities of Russian Old Believers in the Republic of Moldova and in Romania. It is aimed at discussing beliefs and practices around giving birth with the help of a local midwife from the same community, their transformation caused by the access to maternity hospitals as well as distribution of roles between a traditional birth attendant and a doctor. The article is based on oral narratives of Old Believers who used to be local midwives or gave birth to children with the help of such a specialist. The narratives were recorded by the author in 2008–2018.