International Day of the Midwife is celebrated on May 5 of every year. It is a day set aside to appreciate the efforts, courage, and compassion shown by midwives all over the globe. These health care professionals not only assist in the delivery of children, but also help mothers undergo one of the most powerful phenomena in life, child birth.
👶 Who Is a Midwife?
A midwife is a skilled health professional with specialized training. She needs to look after a patient before, during and after the process of childbirth. During and after delivery she provides important support and makes sure the woman is comfortable and that their energy remains high.
Most of them are employed in hospitals and clinics but some work in remote places and villages. Their contribution is essential everywhere.
🩺 Why Do We Celebrate International Day of the Midwife?
The International Day of the Midwife is celebrated in order to:
*Honor their life saving work.
- Create attention and focus concerning mothers needs for proper medical attention and care.
- Aid midwifes providing services in terrible and challenging conditions.
Every year the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) focuses on one theme to mark this occasion. In 2025, it will be “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis.”
Midwives are often found in conflict areas: wars, refugee camps and disaster struck places. Despite the chaos that surrounds them, midwives give out unwavering care and that is why global appreciation is necessary.
🌐 Midwives in Other Parts of The World
There is not a single midwives who is not known and millions of women globally are assisted to give birth safely. In quite a number of underdeveloped countries, midwives seem to be the sole providers of maternal care.
Even in contemporary hospitals midwives offer. Of which the most important is emotional and medical help.
- Keeps track of the health condition of both the mother and child.
- Helps to perform safe deliveries.
- Teaches how to care for newborn babies.
With midwifes comes a lifelong trust that is build with the patients to whom midwives provide gentle guidance.
💡 The Role of Midwives in The Area of Maternal Health
Midwives play very important role in minimizing infant and maternal death rates. If trained properly and resourced, midwives can offer up to 90% of essential care required during pregnancy and child birth.
Quoted from the World Health Organization (WHO).
- The more midwifes a country has, the lower its death rate.
- There are more healthier mothers and babies thanks to midwifery care which makes midwifery care very vital.
Yet, millions of women still give birth without skilled assistance. This is why the International Day of the Midwife calls on the government to provide more support, training, and funding.
🔍 Challenges Midwives Face Today
Regardless of the relevance associated with the work of a midwife, they remain undervalued by the global system. They receive:
- Minimum remuneration
- Extensive work hours
- Scarce materials
- Neglect in the health service and attitude
In clash zones and rural places, midwives routinely soldier on in the absence of supplimentary staff or necesssary tools. With gallant endurance, they soldier on with their work.
This day is a reminder on how we tend to appreciate their efforts. When we are to offer gratitude, it’s not lip service only.
🚀 How Can We Support Midwives?
You can do a lot in favor of midwives:
- Be active on social media, educate people of their duties, so more will give them respect.
- Give finances to those institutions that prepare and sustain midwives.
- Discuss issues relative to mother’s health at your locality.
- Motivate smaller women of the world to dive into the caduceus of midwifery.
- Support a midwife, should you know anyone of the sort.
Change is made by taking even the most inconspicuous steps.
🎓 Midwives and the Future of Women’s Health
This event is set to also eltertere at the forward looking perspective on what will be. Midwives are no longer seen merely as assistants during birth; they will start emerging as primary facilitators and strategic heads in womanaling health.
With proper support, they aid in preventing:
- Unintended teenage pregnancies
- Unwanted teen pregnancies
- Abortions
They advocate for the civil rights of women, particularly in areas where health services are scarce.
📝 Final Thoughts
The International Day of the Midwife is more than just recognition. It should serve as a rallying point.
Let’s defend midwives. Let’s advocate for adequate training, appropriate medical equipment, and fair salaries. And for every woman to have a competent and compassionate midwife attending to her.
Because in defending midwives, we are in turn helping mothers and children, and in evaluating the future of our world.
Read more: May 5 International Days
