I begin this chapter by explaining that, in India, the traditional midwives, also known as dais, have played indispensable roles in assisting with childbirths historically. I continue by noting that these roles involved helping the mother to deliver her baby, cutting the umbilical cord, and cleaning up after the birth, which also included disposing the placenta. However, amid India’s quest for modernization and for the biomedicalization of childbirths, traditional midwives and midwifery traditions have been marginalized and almost decimated. During the last decade, the emergence and visibility of birth professionals such as professional midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, and lactation consultants have increased, but these professionals have not yet been supported by the State. The birth centers, which, in India, are often owned and run by professional midwives, support non-invasive natural births. The professional midwives claim that in natural delivery, the knowledge and instincts of the woman’s body are of primary importance, thereby making birth a liberating experience for those Indian women who choose to give birth in these natural birth centers.In this chapter, I describe and discuss the parallels and contrasts between India’s traditional and emerging professional midwifery practices. I reflect on the policies and programs that both obstruct and facilitate midwifery care during childbirths in India. Rooted within the context of traditional midwifery, I explore the emergence of midwifery model of care in India, which emphasizes a return to supporting the physiological processes of birth. I also provide a comprehensive understanding of midwifery in India by tracing the recent shifts in childbirth and midwifery practices. Additionally, I map historical Indian childbirth practices to highlight key elements of the developmental changes and the emerging trends in Indian midwifery. I also examine the dissemination of knowledge within traditional Indian midwifery and compare this traditional knowledge to that of professional midwives and other birth professionals who prioritize apprenticeship learning over obtaing an official certification. Furthermore, I delve deeply into the social stratification and the dynamics between traditional and professional midwifery, offering insights into how these roles have evolved in contemporary India. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Edited by Robbie Davis-Floyd, Betty-Anne and Inayat Ali; individual chapters, the contributors.
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