Midwifery is an ancient profession.
The practice of midwifery can be traced back to the palaeolithic era, where women were giving birth in challenging and often life-threatening situations.
Ever since this time, midwives around the world have been accompanying women during childbirth and bearing witness to the beginning of life – even in the most challenging of circumstances.
With their specialised training, midwives have always been trusted first responders in their communities with the ability to prepare health systems to respond to a crisis.
To highlight this, this year’s theme for International Day of the Midwife is Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis.
In a time of crisis, the presence of a midwife helps women, children and families. They are trained to provide up to 90% of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services.
The role of a midwife is extensive. With few resources, a midwife can:
- Provide safe antenatal care, birth and postnatal care
- Support breastfeeding – ensuring newborns receive safe, clean, and reliable nutrition
- Care for survivors of gender-based violence
- Educate and prepare communities to stay safe and healthy during emergencies
Today, on the International Day of the Midwife, we would like to honour midwives everywhere: thank you for your compassion, presence, knowledge and dedication to a profoundly important profession.
The incredible work of midwives is celebrated in Mother of Many: a BAFTA winning animated short-film:
