“Thai midwifery refers to the examination, care, counseling and the promotion of health in pregnant women. It also includes the prevention of abnormality during pregnancy or delivery and the rendering of assistance in childbirth by means of Thai traditional medicine (according to the Practice of the Art of Healing Unit). In the Thai traditional medicine curriculum, students study both the theory of Thai midwifery and modern midwifery, in the hope that students will be able to work effectively with professionals from other fields. The courses students take are as follows:
1. Thai Midwifery Students are taught to understand childbirth and the importance of Thai midwifery and the Thai culture of postpartum lying-in by fire. They also study the anatomy of men and women of child-bearing age, conception, pregnancy and the process of assisting childbirth in normal labor.
2. Thai Midwifery Students learn the Mother and Child Scripture which covers normal and abnormal symptoms during pregnancy. At the end of their studies, students should be able to connect Thai midwifery theory and modern midwifery.
Thai midwifery students also have to undertake internships at community hospitals so that they can practice the whole process, beginning with prenatal health care. Students have to be able to perform obstetrical examinations, evaluate the age of the foetus and determine the delivery date. During childbirth assistance, students have to examine or treat patients by means of Thai traditional medicine. On the point of delivery, students also have to assist pregnant women in normal labor and care for their infants. They should also be able to provide post-partum treatment if any abnormality occurs or provide post-partum care, such as applying compresses to the breast in case milk is scarce or mothers cannot breastfeed, or giving basic post-partum leg and back massage. Students should be able to explain the principles and benefits of Thai postpartum lying-in by fire which includes massage, herbal compresses, sitting above charcoal, herbal saunas, herbal bathing, heated salt-filled pot compresses and abdominal wrapping. They should also be able to correctly and appropriately advise mothers on postpartum self-care.
Thai massage is part of the national wisdom of the Thai people and has been passed on and accepted from the past to the present. Thai massage can be employed as a treatment and it is regarded as being beneficial for both health and beauty. Compression and touching can increase blood circulation, resulting in muscle relaxation, the loosening of stiffness and the refreshing and relaxation of the mind.