Midwifery profession celebrated on International Day of the Midwife

The annual event, which has been held each year since 1992 on 5 May, is an opportunity for healthcare staff to reflect on the dedication and expertise of the UK’s midwifery workforce.,

“In my opinion, being a midwife is one of the most enjoyable jobs you can have in the world”

Florbela Vaz

The theme for this year’s International Day of the Midwife is ‘Midwives: A Vital Climate Solution’.

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), which hosts the day, warned that climate change was the “greatest health challenge of our time”.

The ICM noted that midwives were a “vital solution” in adapting health systems to climate change and were often first respondents when climate disasters hit.

To mark International Day of the Midwife, the ICM and Human Rights Watch have launched a survey which hopes to gain insight into how midwives across the world are experiencing the climate crisis impact on the communities they serve.

It also seeks to understand the ways midwives are already adjusting and being impacted by climate change themselves.

In a statement, the ICM said: “As midwives we might not immediately see ourselves in as a part of the climate solution.

“At the same time, it is obvious that the midwifery model of care is environmentally friendly.”

The ICM highlighted that continuity of midwife care not only led to good patient care but also the use of fewer resources, resulting in less medical waste and a reduced ecological footprint.

Meanwhile, continuity of care could also empower mothers to meet breastfeeding goals for longer, which creates no waste and has a negligible water footprint, it added.

The ICM added: “Midwives are indeed a vital climate solution.

“As we celebrate the International Day of the Midwife, we call for investment, resources, autonomy and a seat at every decision-making table to include continuity of midwife care as a cornerstone of health system planning for climate resilience.

“We encourage all midwives to join us in this celebration and to advocate for action towards a healthier planet and healthier communities.”

Midwives and their colleagues across the UK have come together this week to celebrate the enormous contribution that midwives make to health and care services across the UK.

Natalie Wilkes, top row, and Amy Doherty, bottom row

Two Walsall midwives have decided to take on a half marathon to mark the occasion.

Amy Doherty and Natalie Wilkes have signed up for the Birmingham Half Marathon, which is 13 miles (21 kilometres), to raise money for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity, Well Wishers.

Ms Doherty said: “I’m looking forward to running with my colleague as it is also International Day of the Midwife on the same day so what a better way to celebrate.”

Meanwhile, Ms Wilkes said: “I signed up for the Birmingham Half Marathon event as a new challenge and an opportunity to run with my colleague on International Day of the Midwife.

“We are looking forward to raising money for the Well Wishers charity.”

Other nurses are celebrating the special day by continuing their important work on the ward.

Amy Farrow, a continuity midwife who is due to be on shift today at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, said caring for parents and their newborns was a “pure privilege”.

“Working in the continuity team, I get to build rapport with them, setting them at their first booking appointment, throughout their pregnancies and then as a family once their babies are born,” she said.

Meanwhile, Nikola Donner, a labour ward midwife at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital, said she would be raising a glass for herself and all her colleagues.

“If I play a part in supporting and bringing families together in such an important time then I can go home feeling like I did a good job that day,” she said.

“It’s such a joy being a small part of families’ stories.”

Ms Donner, who has been a midwife for almost 10 years, said that “every day is different”.

“One day I can be in theatre, the next facilitating a water birth to another supporting a family coping with loss,” she said.

Nikola Donner

“Whatever the day, I am proud to be part of a dedicated team of midwives, midwifery assistants, doctors, housekeepers and cleaners to our specialist teams.”

In the South West of England, midwives are also taking part in the celebrations.

Reflecting on midwifery as a career, Florbela Vaz, a midwife at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, noted that every day she is “learning something new”.

“I think we make a huge difference in people’s lives, and it is making us grow as a person professionally and build a new world, especially for those families,” she said.

“In my opinion, being a midwife is one of the most enjoyable jobs you can have in the world.”

Across the border, in Northern Ireland, the South Eastern Trust has marked International Day of the Midwife by spotlighting its only male midwifery colleague.

Vince Rosales, the only male midwife at the trust, was drawn to the profession after he was deeply moved by the experience he and his wife received when they had children.

Mr Rosales has gained popularity among parents, so much so that two babies have been named after him.

Vince Rosales

He said: “This is such a special honour and recognition from the parents for being so thankful for how I looked after them – this is so special to me.”

Mr Rosales said he hoped that some day there would be more male midwives in Northern Ireland.

He added: “For anyone who is thinking about being a midwife, just go for it.

“This is such a fantastic, rewarding career.”

Also in Northern Ireland, the Titanic Belfast is set to be illuminated purple today to mark International Day of the Midwife.

The move, which has been done to honour the contribution of midwives and maternity staff to healthcare services in Northern Ireland, has been welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

RCM director for Northern Ireland, Karen Murray, said: “It’s fantastic to have such an iconic piece of history shining brightly to recognise the contribution of midwives on International Day of the Midwife.

“All day, every day midwives and maternity support workers across Northern Ireland are working tirelessly to deliver care to women and their babies and 5 May is a day to celebrate all they do.”