Midwifery

WHO support of midwifery

Infographics

The case for midwifery

What is midwifery?

Midwifery is "skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate care for childbearing women, newborn infants and families across the continuum throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the early weeks of life. Core characteristics include optimizing normal biological psychological, social, and cultural processes of reproduction and early life; timely prevention and management of complications; consultation with and referral to other services; respect for women’s individual circumstances and views, and working in partnership with to strengthen women’s own capabilities to care for themselves and their families.” Lancet Series on midwifery (June 2014).

Who is a midwife?

A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational program, duly recognized in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery. (ICM 2005)

Who is a skilled birth attendant 

A skilled birth attendant is an accredited health professional — such as a midwife, doctor or nurse — who has been educated and trained to proficiency in the skills needed to manage normal (uncomplicated) pregnancies, childbirth and the immediate postnatal period, and in the identification, management and referral of complications in women and newborns. (WHO/ICM/FIGO 2004)

The case for midwifery: the potential of midwives for improving quality of care

• 83% of all maternal deaths, stillbirths, and newborn deaths could be averted with the full package of midwifery care (including family planning);1
• 62% of effective practices within the scope of midwifery show the importance of optimizing the normal processes of childbirth and early life, and empowering women to care for themselves and their families;2
• 56 maternal and neonatal outcomes were found to be improved through midwifery practice and philosophy of care;2
• 87% of service need can be delivered by midwives when educated to international standards;3
• 82% reduction in maternal mortality possible with universal midwifery coverage;1
• Midwifery is associated with more efficient use of resources and improved outcomes when provided by midwives who are educated, trained, licensed and regulated in international standards2. Midwifery is a ‘best buy’ investment;3
• Midwifery is associated with reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity, reduced interventions in labour, improved psychosocial outcomes and increased birth spacing and contraceptive use;4
• Community-based midwives have been found to rank positively for the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness;4
• Midwifery should be considered a core part of universal health coverage. Quality midwifery care is central to achieving national and global priorities and securing the rights of women and newborn infants;4
• Quality relates to the right for women and newborns to the highest standard of health and is synonymous with women-centered care. Providing quality care is most efficient through midwifery care for all childbearing women;5
• There were no adverse outcomes associated with midwife-led care but significant benefits, thus it is recommended that all women should be offered midwife-led continuity models of care;5
• Case loading midwifery care is safe and cost-effective;6
• Midwives have the potential to provide excellent quality of care but socio-cultural, economic and professional barriers must be overcome to allow them to practice to their full potential.7

References

1 Homer, CS, Friberg, IK, Dias, MA et al. "The projected effect of scaling up midwifery". Lancet. 2014;384: 1146–1157

2 Renfrew, MJ, McFadden, A, Bastos, MH et al. "Midwifery and quality care: findings from a new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care". Lancet. 2014; 384: 1129–1145

3 UNFPA ICM, WHO: "The state of the world’s midwifery 2014: A universal pathway. A women's right to health". 2014, New York: United Nations Population Fund

4 Sandall J, Soltani H, Gates S, Shennan A, Devane D. "Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 4

5 Ten Hoope-Bender P, de Bernis L, Campbell J et al (2014). "Improvement of maternal and newborn health through midwifery". Lancet. 2014;384: 1226-35

6 Tracy SK, Hartz DL, Tracy MB, Allen J, Forti M, Hall B, White J, Lainchbury A, Stapleton H, Beckmann M, Bisits A, Homer C, Foureur M, Welsh A, Kildea S: "Caseload midwifery care versus standard maternity care for women of any risk: M@NGO, a randomized controlled trial". Lancet 2013,382:1723–1732.

7 Filby A, McConville F, Portela A (2016) "What Prevents Quality Midwifery Care? A Systematic Mapping of Barriers in Low and Middle Income Countries from the Provider Perspective". PLoS ONE.11(5)