International Day of the Midwife celebrates the vital role midwives play in supporting women around the world through their pregnancy and childbirth. In many parts of the world however, there is an increased medicalisation of pregnancy and childbirth, with some women experiencing unnecessary treatments and procedures that can have negative effects on both the mother and child. Most women can give birth without intervention under the care of experienced trained midwives.
Our latest film – A Midwife Like Me – shows how dedicated and skilled midwives can help women have the best experience before, during and after child birth, encouraging them to make their own informed decisions around normal birth practice. Produced in partnership with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and voiced by Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, our film shows the incredible work which midwives across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia, are doing to inform and empower women and families across the world.
“I am tremendously grateful to be part of this video as the Global Goodwill Ambassador for ICM. Midwives are at the heart of the solution for maternal and newborn healthcare. They are the first hands and eyes to hold and see our babies. We must champion them; equip them and train them, for better health outcomes internationally”
Her Excellence Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa and long term advocate of maternal and child health.
The film is also available in French and Spanish
The ICM aims to strengthen Midwives Associations and advance the profession of midwifery globally by promoting autonomous midwives as the most appropriate caregivers for childbearing women. By encouraging normal birth procedures the ICM aims to enhance the reproductive health of women and their new-born babies.
“This video will be a good advocacy tool and another opportunity to raise the profile of midwives and the wonderful work they do in promoting and protecting normal birth and providing safe and competent midwifery care. Well educated, supported and equipped midwives not only support women to deliver their babies but also prevent complications, save lives and promote health to entire families and communities.”
Sally Pairman, Chief Executive International Confederation of Midwives