Passing the Torch: Doris’s Journey as a Midwife in Guapi, Colombia

By Natalia de León Tello 

Reporting from Guapi, Colombia, during the ICFP 2025 Colombia Reporting Trip.

Doris Segura Montaño, Midwife, Guapi

In the heart of Guapi, Colombia, we had the privilege of meeting Doris Segura Montaño, a midwife whose hands and heart have guided countless births over more than 30 years. Midwifery runs in her family—Doris inherited this sacred gift from her mother, carrying forward a tradition of care, wisdom, and resilience.

During our visit, Doris recounted the story of her very first birth. Her eyes sparkled with memories of the nervous anticipation and anxiety, as it was revealed she was going to support her first birth. “They forced me into the birth, because I did not know how to be a midwife yet. I had seen my mom before, but I did not know how to do it myself,” she recalled between smiles. It was until the pregnant woman’s mother gently reassured her, “You’ve seen your mother do this before, and I know you can too. We need you,” that Doris decided to hop on the canoe in order to reach the pregnant lady.

When she arrived, Doris recalls that the pregnant woman was already in intense pain. Drawing on ancestral knowledge, she used the traditional technique of rubbing the belly with a special bottle while guiding her through breathwork. As she worked, it happened in an instant, “Boom. The baby was born—just moments after I arrived. I received a beautiful baby girl. That was 30 years ago, the very first birth I ever assisted.”

That first experience, Doris shared, was not merely a beginning—it became the foundation of a lifelong dedication to supporting mothers and their families in some of the most intimate and transformative moments of their lives. “I am a life saver,” she says. “I consider myself a life saver—of children, of adults…” Her words reflect the profound sense of purpose that guides her every day.

Doris’s story stands as a testament to the enduring impact of midwives in communities like Guapi. Through her hands, her knowledge, and the legacy passed down from her mother, she has nurtured generations, preserving a practice that honors both cultural heritage and healthcare.

Listening to Doris’s journey, one is reminded that midwifery is far more than a profession—it is a calling, passed from one generation to the next, lived daily by those entrusted with the miracle of birth. “I want my granddaughter to be a midwife, too,” she says. “I am teaching my daughter-in-law now—so young, so full of life. I want all of them to carry on this legacy because it is truly important, especially when many people still cannot afford to go to a Western doctor.”

Doris’s journey reminds us that the work of midwives extends far beyond the delivery room. It is a vital thread in the fabric of community, culture, and care—an enduring legacy of knowledge, compassion, and resilience. Through her hands and her teachings, generations continue to be nurtured, ensuring that the miracle of birth remains not only a moment of life but also a celebration of heritage, trust, and human connection.