Abstract Developing nations are plagued by high rates of maternal mortality, unwanted pregnancies, and family planning policies that aim to control population growth through sterilization and unsafe birth control drugs. In such challenging contexts, traditional midwives are important and effective agents of women's welfare and family planning policies. This essay will evaluate the community role of professional versus traditional midwives in rural Asia, including discussion of the meager respect accorded traditional midwives by doctors and clinical staff without acknowledging the work they do with such limited resources. Analysis of the outcomes of midwifery training programs will compare curricula from government-sponsored programs with outreach training from peers in the international community, demonstrating that these professional midwives provide methods to integrate traditional midwives into professional (hospital) circles as well as offering more realistic approaches to indigenous community midwives in the face of the influence of Western biomedicine in government policy. Data will also be presented suggesting that maternal mortality rates are reduced through pre- and post-natal care by midwives and that education and home visits by midwives help improve women's status by increasing their capacity. to regulate your fertility. Professional versus Traditional Midwives The international definition of midwife ratified by the World Health Organization (WHO) describes an individual who has completed a duly recognized program of study and is registered or legally authorized to practice the profession of midwife in their country (WHO, 2000 ). This differs from most cultural definitions of midwifery. Most often, midwives are women with birth experience and recognized by her community as midwives. WHO calls these women Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) and considers them health workers who do not fall into the formal sector of skilled birth attendants. However, these women are experienced in maternal care and offer expertise to their clients. They are also accepted by their communities as skilled midwives and are usually trusted more than professionals. Professional midwives in Northern nations receive eight or more years of education. Their practice is usually classified as an alternative form of healthcare. In fact, an e... half of the newspaper......men's Enews, September 25, 2003. Retrieved February 7, 2005, from http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/ help/1539/ cintext/archiveMaine, D., Murat, Z. A., Chakraborty, J., Francisco, A. de, & Strong, M. (1996). Why have maternal mortality rates decreased in Matlab? Family Planning Studies, 27(4), 179-187. Mcrory, F. (1995). HIV testing and pregnancy. [Electronic version]. Obstetric Issues,67, 10-13.Nasir, K., & Hyder, A. A. (2003). Violence against pregnant women in developing countries. European Journal of Public Health, 13(2), 105-107.Phillips, J.F. & Hossain, M.B. (2003). The impact of family planning services provided to families on the status of women in Bangladesh. International Family Planning Perspectives, 29(3), 138-145. Rogers, E. M., & Solomon, D. S. (1975). Traditional midwives and family planning in Asia. Family Planning Studies, 6(5), 126-133. UNICEF press release. (2004). United Nations task force meets to address childhood HIV/AIDS infection. Retrieved March 3, 2005, from www.unicef.orgWorld Health Organization (WHO)..