International Confederation of Midwives

International Confederation of Midwives

@internationalmidwives.org

The global voice of midwives Learn more: www.internationalmidwives.org

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International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

On #BreastCancerAwarenessDay, we recognise the critical role midwives play in breast health. Midwives spot warning signs, refer directly to breast specialists when something needs investigation. And when cancer presents during pregnancy, they coordinate care that protects both mother and baby.

International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

We’re consulting on a revised Position Statement on Midwifery Care for Indigenous Communities. If you’re an Indigenous midwife, leader, or community member, we want to hear from you. Your perspective is essential. Email info@internationalmidwives.org to contribute. Feedback closes 20 November.

International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

None of the five pre-service training curricula reviewed by a recent study in Nepal fully matched global midwifery competency standards, with scores ranging from 65% to 89%. Read more at: zurl.co/h90xz

nature.comMixed methods analysis of childbirth care provider education in Nepal shows priorities to strengthen maternal and newborn healthDespite increased global access to skilled health personnel, persistent disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes highlight the importance of care quality. Nepal’s substantial reductions in mortality offer a critical setting to examine the preparedness of childbirth care providers. Here, as part of a multi‑country initiative, we assessed the quality of pre‑service education in Nepal using a mixed‑methods design. Twenty‑four key informant interviews were conducted with stakeholders from educational institutions, government agencies, development partners and regulatory and professional bodies. Curricula were reviewed against the International Confederation of Midwives global standards. Overall, programmes demonstrated strong curricula, qualified educators and adequate infrastructure, particularly within Bachelor of Midwifery training. However, gaps in intrapartum competencies, delays in implementing updated modules, and misalignment between training outputs and available job opportunities were identified. These findings underscore priority actions to strengthen pre‑service education and accelerate progress towards improved maternal and newborn health outcomes. A mixed-methods study using 24 key informant interviews and a curriculum review against global midwifery standards found generally strong pre-service training for childbirth care providers in Nepal but identified intrapartum skill gaps, regulatory delays, and misalignment between training and job opportunities.
International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

Almost one in five women experience a mental health condition during pregnancy or postpartum. On #WorldMentalHealthDay, we commit to listening, recognising distress, and connecting women with care they need. But more importantly, we centre women's voices in decisions about their own mental health.

International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

A new study comparing synchronous online simulation with face-to-face training for teaching episiotomy repair skills in Türkiye, found that students in the online group reported significantly higher self-confidence and greater learning satisfaction. Learn more: zurl.co/9n0Ow

zurl.coEffectiveness of online simulation-based versus face-to-face training on episiotomy skills among midwifery students in Turkey | Aydın | African Journal of Reproductive HealthEffectiveness of online simulation-based versus face-to-face training on episiotomy skills among midwifery students in Turkey
International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

Fewer births doesn't mean less need for safe maternity care. A new RCM Scotland report highlights how island midwives provide round-the-clock emergency care with fewer resources—and calls for the education, development and workforce structures to support them. Read the full report: zurl.co/z2au1

zurl.coProviding safe maternity care 24/7 on a Scottish island: New report puts spotlight on island midwifery - Royal College of MidwivesSmall island maternity services may care for fewer women, but safe care still needs to be there round-the-clock – with the right people and skills to respond when an emergency happens, often many miles from additional clinical support. A new RCM report sets out how Scotland’s island maternity workforce can be supported to do just […]
International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

Jane, a midwife gives informational sessions at her clinic in Kampala. For #BreastCancerAwareness Month, we highlight the key part of midwives' work – provide unbiased education, incorporating evidence-based medicine, on non-communicable diseases like breast cancer. 📸 by Esther Mbabazi

International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

The new WHO guidelines ahead of #WorldContraceptiveDay provide evidence-based recommendations on contraceptive methods and practices that are not currently covered, or differ from existing WHO guidance. Access the guidelines: zurl.co/RNO8b

zurl.coWHO guidelines on expanding contraceptive optionsWHO Expanding Contraceptive Options (ECO) Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on new contraceptive methods and practices not currently included, or differently addressed, in existing WHO contraceptive guidance. Drawing on systematic reviews and expert assessment of effectiveness, safety and acceptability, the guideline supports policymakers and programme managers in expanding contraceptive choice through the potential adoption of additional methods and practices within national family planning programmes and clinical guidelines.
International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

The EU Directive on Minimum Professional Qualifications for Midwives is being updated for the first time in more than 20 years. This article explores why the revision should align with the ICM Global Standards & WHO guidance to support high-quality care. Read the article: zurl.co/GXOkM

zurl.coUpdates to the EU Directives on Professional Qualifications must align with global standardsThe European Union (EU) Directive on Minimum Professional Qualifications: Midwife is under review as part of an ongoing regulatory update. This revision presents a critical opportunity to modernise the regulation of midwifery education and practice across the EU and EEA, having implications that extend beyond the region, given the EU’s role in influencing professional regulation globally. We argue that updates to the Directive must be aligned with current scientific evidence, Global Standards for the profession, and relevant World Health Organization guidelines. Aligning the Directive with these evidence-based standards is essential to ensure high-quality care, enable midwives to practise to their full scope, support workforce mobility, and strengthen health systems across Europe.
International Confederation of Midwives
@internationalmidwives.org

A new study finds that effective coverage tells a very different story than the official numbers. Counting who attends a birth isn't enough. If the care isn't high-quality, mothers and newborns are still at risk — even where the statistics look strong. Read more: zurl.co/R24Um

nature.comAssessing quality of childbirth care provided by skilled health personnel in Exemplar countriesThe world has made progress in increasing the number of births attended by skilled health personnel (SHP), but maternal and neonatal mortality have not declined proportionately. This may indicate that quality of care has not risen at the same rate as SHP coverage. Several ‘Exemplar’ countries have been previously recognized for outstanding progress in improving maternal and newborn health, and offer a unique opportunity to understand coverage and quality of care provided by SHP. Here we describe quality of care and how it compares with SHP coverage in three Exemplar countries—Nepal, Senegal and Zambia. We developed a conceptual framework, compiled primary and secondary data, and employed latent variable analysis. We combined quality estimates with coverage estimates to quantify the effective coverage of SHP. Results show that effective SHP coverage ranges between 12% and 43% across subnational regions, compared with crude SHP coverage ranging from 30% to 100%, indicating that mothers and newborns are receiving less lifesaving care than coverage statistics portray. The detection of this quality gap in Exemplar settings, which represent some of the highest-performing health systems among low- and middle-income countries, emphasizes the criticality of quality care to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide. A study of Exemplar countries—Nepal, Senegal and Zambia—previously recognized for major gains in maternal and neonatal health found that, despite high coverage of childbirth care by skilled health personnel, the quality of care remains substandard.