Speakers: Melissa Cheyney, Micknal Arefaine, Allison Cummins
Facilitator: Jane Houston
The Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) Research Alliance works to transform global knowledge production by addressing fundamental questions of epistemic justice: whose voices count and who participates in creating knowledge. Emerging from the 2014 Lancet Series on Midwifery, the Alliance recognizes that research inequities persist globally, with dominant narratives often excluding critical perspectives from diverse practitioners and communities.
QMNC’s collaborative approach deliberately centers LMIC voices, particularly emphasizing the integral role of midwifery knowledge. By fostering international partnerships across researchers, clinicians, advocates, and policymakers, the Alliance creates pathways for equitable participation in knowledge creation and dissemination. This model challenges traditional hierarchies that have historically privileged certain forms of expertise while dismissing others.
Through its mission to promote research that helps all childbearing families “survive, thrive, and transform lives,” QMNC demonstrates how epistemic justice serves as a foundation for improving maternal and newborn outcomes worldwide.
Speaker: Lynnelle Moran
Facilitator: Caitlin Goodwin
How do professional connections and relationships impact midwives wellbeing and career sustainability?
In this presentation, Lynnelle will share preliminary findings from her Grounded Theory study. How do professional connections and relationships impact midwives wellbeing and career sustainability?
Emerging findings highlight the importance, value and protective nature of professional connections for midwives, as well as the vulnerabilities that form in their absence. The data demonstrates that regardless of career stage, the strength of midwives relationships and connections is intrinsic to their sustainability and wellbeing.
Glaserian Grounded Theory was used in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 Midwives from across Australia to capture a depth of understanding of how collegial relationships impact across the career continuum.
Participants describe how the absence of connection in midwifery is taking a personal and professional toll, resulting in psychological and physical impacts such as feelings of disconnection, disillusionment, isolation, fear and dread, all of which have a strong correlation with absenteeism, reduction of shifts, and attrition.
In contrast, participants who experience a practice environment that supports and values professional connections and relationships reported high levels of professional satisfaction, collaborative interdisciplinary teams, role understanding, autonomy, trust and support to practice to their full midwifery scope, and to continue to develop professionally and explore diverse career paths in midwifery.
Conclusively, participants viewed relationships and connections as vital to their sustainability in midwifery and to their psychological and physical wellbeing. These emerging findings point to an urgent need to recognise and legitimise the importance of connection and professional relationships for midwives to sustain and thrive within the profession.
Speaker: Jessica Brumley
Facilitator: Caitlin Goodwin
Midwifery has played a critical role in maternal and newborn care throughout our history, yet its integration into the healthcare system has been marked by challenges and transformation. This presentation explores the historical trajectory of midwifery. The current landscape highlights a growing recognition of midwifery’s benefits, including improved maternal outcomes, reduced interventions, and enhanced patient-centered care. Despite this progress, barriers such as restrictive regulations, inconsistent legislative policies, and disparities in access persist.
Looking ahead, the future of midwifery integration depends on policy reform, interprofessional collaboration, and public awareness to strengthen midwives’ role in addressing the maternal health crisis. A strong professional association is critical in advancing the midwifery agenda and strengthening the profession.
Check time in your country https://bit.ly/VIDM25-session-03
Speaker: Prima Kusrini and Karita Aulia Tama
Facilitator: Alifina Izza
Background: Adolescent pregnancy is a global health concern that affects the well-being of both mothers and newborns. Adolescent pregnancy is linked to risk factors that contribute to adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.
Objective: This review aims to ascertain the factors contributing to adverse adolescent pregnancy outcomes.
Method: The primary databases for the review were PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. From 2020 to 2024, 1103 papers were identified, of which 121 were chosen for full-text review after thoroughly screening and eliminating duplicates. Fifteen studies were included in the review.
Result: An analysis of fifteen articles indicated that adolescent pregnancy is substantially associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, affected by factors including inadequate education, psychological and social pressures, low socioeconomic status, poor nutritional health, harmful behaviors during pregnancy, an unfavorable social environment, and insufficient antenatal care. Improving primary health services for adolescent pregnancy is essential, including the delivery of early sexual education and contraception options.
Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy is often associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Improving the use of adolescent maternal health services, along with the execution of focused sex education programs and contraceptive methods in families, educational institutions, and primary health care centers, is essential for reducing the incidence of adolescent pregnancies.
Key message: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. By identifying the characteristics that lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes in teenagers, it is anticipated that health education can be delivered to both adolescents and their familial or social contexts to avert these problems.
Speaker: Jessie Johnson-Cash
Facilitator: Mutiara Dien Safitri
Background: Midwifery students juggle academic pressures, personal obligations, and the transition to clinical practice, often leading to burnout and stress. Activities that build resilience are beneficial in facilitating student engagement and promoting emotional wellbeing.
Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness of Student Midwife Support Circles (SMSC) as a co-curricular peer support activity, in building a sense of belonging and professional identity, and developing emotional wellbeing.
Methods: Participants were recruited from past and current midwifery students at a regional Australian university. A mixed-method approach used a cross-sectional online survey and individual interviews. Quantitative data (n=31) was reported as descriptives and compared based on attendance at the SMSCs. Qualitative data from both the survey (n=31) and interviews (n=3) was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Compared to students (n=9) who had not attended SMSCs, students who attended any number of SMSCs (n=22) reported greater compassion satisfaction and slightly higher self-efficacy. In addition, attendance significantly improved students’ views that support groups reduced stress whilst on placements, improved belonging to the profession and in becoming a better midwife, and increased student well-being. The thematic analysis confirmed these results, and the value of an academic run the support group.
Conclusions: Students who have been to any number of SMSCs have much more favourable views of the usefulness of these groups and there is some improvement in the satisfaction of care they provide and their confidence in dealing with challenges.
Speakers: Angelica Mercedes Lozano Rivera, Marlene Magallanes Corimanya & Lalescka Araceli Soria Gonzales
Facilitator: Marcela Mendoza
Introduccion: La anticoncepción postaborto es vital para reducir embarazos no deseados y prevenir la mortalidad materna.
Objetivo: Determinar si la nacionalidad y la edad están asociadas con el uso de anticonceptivos prescritos en el postaborto, tras un seguimiento de seis meses.
Metodos: Se realizaun estudio observacional analitico con mujeres que aceptaron un mettodo anticonceptivo inmediatamente despues de un aborto en un hospital publico peruano (N = 399). De ellas, se contactó telefónicamente a 175 participantes seis meses después.
Resultados: Solo el 39,42% de las mujeres mantuvo el uso del método anticonceptivo. Se hallo una asociacion significativa entre la edad (p = 0,049) y la nacionalidad venezolana (p = 0,043) con el uso de metodos anticonceptivos seis meses despues del aborto.
Conclusion: Seis meses después del alta hospitalaria, se observa una asociación entre el uso de métodos anticonceptivos postaborto y las variables edad y nacionalidad.
Introduction: Post-abortion contraception is vital to reduce unwanted pregnancies and prevent maternal mortality.
Objective: To determine whether nationality and age are associated with the use of prescribed contraceptives in the post-abortion period, after a six-month follow-up.
Methods: An analytical observational study was conducted with women who accepted a contraceptive method immediately after an abortion in a Peruvian public hospital (N = 399). Of these, 175 participants were contacted by telephone six months later.
Results: Only 39.42% of the women continued using the contraceptive method. A significant association was found between age (p = 0.049) and Venezuelan nationality (p = 0.043) with the use of contraceptive methods six months after the abortion.
Conclusion: Six months after hospital discharge, an association was observed between the use of post-abortion contraceptive methods and the variables age and nationality.
Check time in your country https://bit.ly/VIDM25-session-05
Speaker: Linda Sweet
Facilitator: Red Miller
Background: A migrant is a person who moves from one place to another, especially to find work or better living conditions. Some migrants come from refugee backgrounds with well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. From 2019 to 2021, over 47% of women who accessed maternity care through Western Health were born in a country other than Australia, with over 60 languages identified as their first language.
Aim: To explore the culturally specific maternity care experiences of migrant women and to consider ways to improve care.
Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted with women of three language groups: Oromo, Dinka, and Arabic. The focus groups were co facilitated by the research team and a bi-cultural worker, with an interpreter in attendance. Discussions were audio recorded, professionally transcribed and thematically analysed.
Results: Thirty-one women participated. All had at least one pregnancy in Australia. Key themes included communication (and miscommunication), cultural misconceptions, racism, loss of culture, and desire for continuity of care. All the women found maternity care in Australia generally satisfying and respectful; however, they offered some tangible ideas for improvement.
Discussion: Addressing cultural misconceptions and combating racism within healthcare settings is imperative to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for migrant women. Effective communication, accommodating linguistic diversity, and cultural nuances need to be prioritised. This includes providing interpreter services when needed and employing culturally competent staff who understand the traditions, beliefs, and practices of diverse communities.
Speakers: Fadiah Maharani and Josi Noviani
Facilitator: Marcela Mendoza
Background: The nutrition of a newborn during the initial six months is crucial, and exclusive breastfeeding is advised to fulfill these requirements. Nonetheless, numerous variables, including employed mothers, sometimes obstruct attaining exclusive breastfeeding objectives. The WHO established Global Nutrition Targets 2025 aiming for at least 50% of newborns to be exclusively breastfed; however, current data indicates that some regions, including Indonesia, have failed to achieve these targets.
Case report: Our presentation examines the continuity of care activities of a 28-year-old woman, a working mother who dedicated herself to exclusive breastfeeding upon returning to work. The care encompasses health promotion, the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding, nutrition to enhance breast milk production, engagement of support networks, preparation of exclusive breastfeeding management, and oxytocin massage techniques. There were factors influencing the success of exclusive breastfeeding, such as the hospital policy forbidding formula milk distribution to newborns. This policy relies on the adherence of healthcare professionals who encourage and motivate mothers to maintain exclusive breastfeeding without introducing formula milk. This support is provided during pregnancy and extends into the postpartum period, with the expectation that continuity of care initiatives will significantly benefit aided mothers and enhance the effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding among working women.
Conclusion: Ongoing support from family and continuity of care from health professionals are crucial in enabling working women to breastfeed exclusively. Engagement of family members and modifications to workplace policies can enhance the likelihood of successful exclusive breastfeeding.
Speaker: Melese Siyoum
Facilitator: Indri Astuti Purwanti
Back ground: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition that can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is recommended as a first-line conservative treatment for prolapse, but evidence from low-resource settings is limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess midwife-led pelvic floor muscle training on prolapse symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among women with mild to moderate prolapse in Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: A community-based, parallel, two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in Dale and Wonsho districts of Sidama Region, Ethiopia. Women with symptomatic POP stage I-III were randomized by cluster to receive either midwife-led PFMT plus lifestyle counseling (intervention group) or lifestyle counseling alone (control group). The primary outcomes were change in prolapse symptom score (POP-SS) and prolapse quality of life (P-QoL). Mixed-effects generalized linear model was used to determine the effect size at 99% confidence level.
Results: A total of 187 women were randomized (intervention = 89 and control = 98). At sixth month, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements with a mean change difference of: -4.1 (99% CI: -5.38, -2.83) in prolapse symptoms; -11.48 (99% CI: -15.9, -7.1) in physical domain, -12.65 (99% CI: -19.3, -6.1) in psychological domain and -9.47 (99% CI: -15.5, -3.5) in personal relationship domain of P-QoL. A significantly higher number of women in the intervention group perceived their condition as ‘better’ after the intervention. Women with earlier stages of prolapse (stage I and II) experienced higher benefits compared to stage III.
Conclusions: A midwife-led PFMT combined with lifestyle counseling significantly improves prolapse symptoms and quality of life in mild to moderate POP. This strategy can be integrated into the existing maternal and reproductive health programs to address POP in low-income settings where access to trained specialist is limited.
Speakers: Karita Aulia Tama, Prima Kusrini & Husnul Fadillah
Facilitator: Fabella Elisa Cahyaningtyas
Background: Maternal mental health disorders, especially depression and anxiety, correlate with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression; however, the role of psychosocial variables in alleviating these risks remains inadequately understood. These concerns are frequently overlooked during prenatal care, particularly in resource-limited environments.
Objective: This scoping review seeks to examine the influence of maternal mental health disorders on pregnancy outcomes and to identify psychosocial factors that may mitigate associated risks.
Methods: A scoping review was performed utilizing resources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. According to the established inclusion criteria, fifteen studies were selected from an original pool of 831 publications published between 2019 and 2024.
Results: Our review demonstrates a significant correlation between maternal depression and anxiety with preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, and cesarean delivery. Psychosocial factors, including partner support and stress-coping strategies, significantly mitigate these risks. Timely identification and thorough prenatal mental health therapies are essential for enhancing long-term outcomes for moms and infants.
Conclusions: The mental health of the mother profoundly affects pregnancy outcomes. Incorporating mental health assessments and psychosocial assistance into standard prenatal care is crucial for mitigating adverse effects. Future research should concentrate on creating scalable care customized for various populations and providing continuous care during the perinatal period.
Speaker: Red Miller
Facilitator: Linda Deys
As a home birth midwife with nearly 2 decades of experience working the continuity of care model, I have found the word that most relates to my practice style is Biodynamic Midwifery. In my practice, I also have a strong focus on addressing fears to create space for ultimate outcomes.
Fear exploration is such an essential process for the birthing women and also the birthing partner, the older sibling, the grandparents, the doulas, whoever will be present and surrounding the mother at the time of birth.
This presentation will explore:
- the word biodynamic and introduce the concept of biodynamic midwifery.
- An introduction to the concept of relational field dynamics and explore how to hold a field of integrity and trust.
- An exploration of the role we carry as midwives to help shift a family from fear to love, including practical, applicable tools for self-exploration as well as for use with the families. We will explore how this practice is the fastest way to return a mother to their intuition.
I want to leave the participants with a renewed sense of passion for this sacred work and give them new ways of BEING within it!
Speaker: Loredana Zordan
Facilitator: Margaret Adongo
Induction of labour is increasing worldwide , and acupressure with its holistic approach to care offers a potential opportunity to reduce the medicalisation of childbirth. Practising acupressure would allow midwives to provide better care to women, enabling them to experience a safer and a more natural childbirth .Acupressure is an ancient Chinese technique based on the principle of acupuncture which involves the use of finger pressure (without the needle) on acupuncture points, situated on the meridians. The acupressure points most commonly used for induction of labour have a very strong effect on blood flow to the uterus ,promoting cervical dilatation, increasing the release of prostaglandin and oxytocin facilitate the production of endorphins, helping the mother to relax, promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.
Acupressure for induction of labour should be an option available to women in childbirth as it would allow them to regain some control of their birth experience ,as well as facilitating a more natural and less medicalized childbirth.
Acupressure is a non-invasive technique that can be easily applied by a birthing partner and/or midwives, promoting birthing partner involvement. It is considered comfortable, safe and non-painful, potentially reducing the need for pharmacological induction methods. Acupressure can offer increased choice and control and is argued to increase the chances of achieving a physiological birth. This approach may also reduce the cascade of intervention and reduce healthcare costs.
Speaker: Keeth Mayakaduwage and Billie Bradford
Facilitator: Farah Sajidah
Background: Stillbirth bereavement care is increasingly recognised as essential. Despite guidelines for stillbirth care, gaps remain in bereaved parents experiences of compassionate care. Inadequate education in healthcare curricula may contribute to negative experiences for both families and providers. This survey assesses whether and how healthcare curricula prepare midwives to care for families experiencing stillbirth.
Methods: An international cross-sectional survey, co-designed with subject matter experts, explored midwifery students and recent graduates experiences. Outcomes included educational content and confidence in knowledge of bereavement care, measured from 1.0 (Not confident at all) to 5.0 (Extremely confident). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed.
Results: Of 127 responses from 14 countries, 87% reported receiving some level of stillbirth education. While 92% had received teaching on stillbirth definitions, only 50% had bereavement care training, and just 43% received education on investigations for stillbirth causes. Confidence was highest for defining stillbirth (4.0) but lower for bereavement care (2.6) and investigations (2.6). Only 42% felt prepared to support families, with 86% expressing a need for more clinical experience and 50% wanting more support in accessing psychological services for themselves. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes, including gaps in structured education, disconnect between theoretical and practical knowledge, workplace support deficits, and system-level barriers to holistic care.
Conclusions: Significant gaps exist in midwifery bereavement education. Strengthening curricula with structured training, greater clinical exposure, and workplace support may help in improving care and reducing provider distress. Urgent action is needed to equip midwives with the skills and confidence to support bereaved families.
Speaker: Sarah Esegbona-Adeigbe
Facilitator: Constance Odonkor
A woman is more likely to die in the UK during pregnancy if she is Black, a recent migrant and has had inadequate pregnancy care. Cultural influences on reduced attendance for pregnancy care has been connected to Black migrant maternal deaths for twenty years. My study’s findings show that migrant Black women are not asked about their culture when attending for pregnancy care and they either choose to hide or reveal their culture.
A persons’ culture is colourful and complex, an aura that is visible and invisible. The seen and unseen nature of culture makes it difficult to decipher an individuals needs, as culture may be practised differently depending on the environment and wider society.
Culture may influence all aspects of a persons’ life including their health seeking behaviour and healthcare decisions. The missed opportunity to explore migrant womens’ cultural needs during pregnancy means that important aspects of their health needs are unexplored and therefore, not included in their pregnancy care provision.
Speakers: Rachael Ame Maima and Linda Deys
Facilitator: Caroline Maringa/Nyambura
Maternal and newborn mortality rates in Papua New Guinea are among the highest in the world, with around 170 deaths for every 100, 000 women and 20 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births each year. The causes for many of these deaths are preventable or treatable when women have equal access to safe, quality health care. Lack of midwives and resources increases the impact for remote communities but also for those living in cities such as Port Moresby.
In April 2024 the fourth group of the PNG Midwifery Leadership Buddy Project met in Port Moresby with 14 PNG and 7 Australian midwifery mentors, aiming to improve maternal and newborn outcomes in PNG. This twinning program of the PNG Midwifery Society and the Australian College of Midwives is funded by Rotary and informed by the ICM Member Association Capacity Assessment Tool (MACAT). PNG buddies identified quality improvement projects within their workplaces, with the Australian midwives supporting the development of leadership and advocacy skills for the projects to be completed.
This presentation will introduce one of the 2024 buddy relationships and project which aimed to increase the known haemoglobin level of women accessing antenatal care in a clinic in Port Moresby. It will describe the importance of a known Hb and demonstrate the processes, challenges, successes and setbacks experienced and highlight the importance of resilience and patience. It will emphasise how professional midwifery connections and mentorship can promote leadership, improve maternity outcomes, and strengthen the role of midwives across countries.
Speakers: Erin Gilmer and Zahra Mirzaei
Facilitator: Isabella Garti
Background: In December 2024, the Taliban banned women from attending midwifery and nursing institutes in Afghanistan, cutting off the last remaining avenue for women’s higher education. This policy threatens maternal and newborn health in a country where the maternal mortality ratio at 620 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world. Afghan midwives are essential frontline providers, particularly in rural areas; therefore, sustaining midwifery education is vital to ensuring continued healthcare access for Afghan women and families.
Purpose: In response to this crisis, Kabul Online Medical University in Exile (KOMU-E) has launched an innovative online midwifery education program. This initiative aims to preserve academic continuity for Afghan midwifery students, sustain their engagement with the midwifery profession, and provide a critical lifeline for education and wellbeing.
Focus of Presentation: This presentation explores the implementation of KOMU-Es online midwifery education initiative. Grounded in the Afghan midwifery curriculum and aligned with ICM Essential Competencies, the program is delivered by experienced Afghan midwives in the diaspora. Currently, the program focuses on theory-based coursework while KOMU-E explores strategies for safe and effective hands-on learning and clinical experience. Importantly, the program integrates psychosocial support to address the mental health impact of educational exclusion.
The session will highlight the challenges, strategies, and impact of delivering midwifery education in a highly restrictive environment. We also hope to connect with audience members with experience in blended learning models for midwifery education.
Speakers: Seda Serhatlioglu and Tuba Kizilkaya
Facilitator: Farah Sajidah
Abstract:
Health literacy is defined as the ability to access, understand, and use health information to make informed health-related decisions, while health perception refers to individual’s evaluations of their own health status.This study examines the relationship between health literacy and health perception among 353 midwifery students in Turkey, conducted between January 2023 and March 2024. Data were collected using the Student Information Form, Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32), and Health Perception Scale (HPS). Statistical analyses, including Mann-Whitney U, Spearman’s rho correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, were performed. The results highlight significant correlations between health literacy and health perception, emphasizing the importance of improving health literacy to enhance health perceptions and outcomes among future midwives. The findings show that most participants have adequate health literacy and positive health perception. It was found that factors such as internet usage and the desire to read written materials had significant effects on health literacy and health perception (p 0.05). These findings suggest that increasing the health literacy levels of midwifery students can contribute to better health outcomes in the populations they will serve. The study underscores the importance of targeted health education strategies in midwifery curricula to strengthen both health literacy and health perception.
Speaker: Rizka Ayu Setyani
Facilitator: Adetoro Adegoke
Maternal and child health is a critical public health priority in Indonesia; however, fragmented healthcare delivery and inequitable access to services continue to hinder optimal outcomes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated primary health service model in improving maternal and child health outcomes, focusing on midwives as central agents connecting healthcare systems, communities, and families.
A mixed-methods approach was employed across 10 primary healthcare facilities in urban and rural Indonesia. Quantitative data from patient records and service utilization statistics were analyzed, complemented by qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions with midwives, healthcare workers, and families.
The findings revealed a significant increase in antenatal and postnatal care visits (p 0.05) and improved continuity of care, including timely referrals and follow-ups. Midwives reported strengthened collaboration with community health workers and local facilities, while families highlighted better access to culturally responsive and holistic care. The introduction of digital tools further streamlined coordination and reduced delays in service delivery.
These results demonstrate that integrated primary health services can strengthen maternal and child healthcare systems, with midwives playing a pivotal role in bridging gaps and fostering trust. Scaling such models nationwide could enhance Safe Motherhood initiatives and accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speakers: Salamatu Umar, Hayat Imaam Gomma & Mardiya Adamu
Facilitator: Jane Houston
Background: Globally, water birth is viewed with mixed opinions. While some countries endorse it for benefits like pain relief and a soothing birthing environment, others are cautious due to safety concerns and limited evidence on long-term outcomes.
Aim: This study assessed perceptions of water birth among reproductive-age women in Gombe State, Nigeria, focusing on perceived benefits and risks.
Method: A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was used, incorporating multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected from 418 respondents via self-structured and online questionnaires. In-depth interviews were conducted in the qualitative phase using convenience sampling. Ethical guidelines were strictly followed. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis.
Result: Findings indicated that 77.25% of participants held a positive view of water birth, with 80.9% believing it enhances the birth experience. However, 54.8% identified neonatal water aspiration as a potential risk. Qualitative results highlighted mixed perceptions: while some participants were positive and interested in trying water birth, others remained skeptical, expressing concerns about its safety.
Conclusion: The study found a generally positive perception of water birth among reproductive-age women, though concerns about neonatal risks such as water aspiration and maternal infection persisted.
Recommendations: Community outreach programs are essential to address misconceptions and skepticism engaging community leaders to foster positive perceptions and Support from NGOs for advocacy, funding, and awareness-raising to enhance water birth’s acceptance and safety in Gombe State.
Speaker: Kate Greenstock
Facilitator: Ally Anderson
Merely existing as a midwife in much of the world is a political act, flourishing collectively is our outrageous next step!
At its core, flourishing means staying connected to ourselves – and to each other – even as we face the psychological challenges of this work. Experiences of trauma exposure and moral injury connect us as global midwives despite our differing contexts. And yet they so often disconnect us from ourselves and the families we serve.
Our time together will acknowledge the realities AND explore how we go on sustaining ourselves in midwifery by proactively connecting to our purpose, our power, our body, our breath. Just as we ground and encourage a woman in labour, come be grounded and encouraged!
Speakers: Pronita Raha, Joy Kemp and Judith McAra-Couper
Facilitator: Elisa Segoni
Development of midwife faculty is key for quality midwifery education but globally the quality and availability of programmes to develop midwife faculty is variable. In Bangladesh, where international-standard midwifery education is still new, faculty do not yet meet the ICM midwife teacher standard. Faculty are nurse-midwives, though the new generation of direct-entry midwives will soon take up positions in education. This presentation describes a peer-mentorship programme for midwifery faculty in Bangladesh, enabling them to teach the new curriculum through non-didactic pedagogical approaches in theory and practice settings.
In 2021, twenty national peer-mentors received online preparation by midwifery faculty from New Zealand. A series of national and local stakeholder briefings took place at key points throughout the programme, COVID-19 permitting. From 2022-2024 peer-mentors conducted in-person quarterly visits to midwifery education institutions in Bangladesh, providing mentorship to 370 midwifery faculty and monitoring the quality of midwifery education. A digital community of practice was created to connect faculty with the peer-mentors, with each other and with teaching resources. Baseline and endline data were collected using a checklist based on WHO midwifery educator competencies, then entered onto a digital dashboard; qualitative data were collected by survey questionnaire then analysed thematically.
A process evaluation of the programme in 2024 found that peer-mentorship had been effective in enabling faculty to implement the curriculum, to improve the learning environment and increase students’ exposure to midwife-led care models in practice. The programme may not be generalisable across all midwifery education institutions or outside of Bangladesh.
Speaker: Roisin Lennon
Facilitator: Adebukunola Olajumoke Afolabi
Background: Labour hopscotch, a visual tool that encourages activity during pregnancy and childbirth, has been used in one advanced midwife practitioner (AMP) service since 2017 and in Ireland since 2020. A rise in caesarean births and birth weights over 4kg, prompted the introduction of targeted weight gain as per Institute of Medicines (IOM) guidelines in 2022. Conversations about healthy eating and exercise in pregnancy occur at each antenatal visit with the labour hopscotch being a visual prompt to facilitate fetal optimal positioning.
Findings: Annual retrospective audits of both interventions have demonstrated the benefits of using them. Body mass index (BMI) rates over 25 account for 61-63% of the AMP caseload. Excess weight gain was 24% (2023) and 29% (2024) with a resulting EMCS rate of 42% (2023) and 29% (2024) which is higher than the AMP 16% (2023) and 19% (2024). Before the interventions, there was a 57% spontaneous onset of labour (SOL) rate, with 33% birthing before 41 weeks. After the implementation, there was a 72% SOL rate 2023 and 73% 2024. In 2023 92% birthed before 41 weeks and 83% in 2024. IOL dropped from 43% to 28% (2023) and 27% (2024), with emergency caesarean section (EMCS) rates following induction dropping from 33% to 23% (2023) and 25% (2024).
Conclusions: Pregnancy is an opportunity to encourage healthy eating and exercise. These interventions should be viewed as a long-term investment by reducing maternal and childhood complications associated with excess pregnancy weight gain as demonstrated in these retrospective audits
Speakers: Rowsan Ara, Joy Kemp and Farida Begum
Facilitator: Hayat Emam Mohammed Gommaa
In Bangladesh, as in many countries around the world, midwives regularly face workplace abuse, but few incidents are reported or resolved appropriately. Most midwives/nurses and students are unaware of their rights to a safe workplace or learning environment and freedom from abuse, violence, discrimination or degrading treatment and may not recognise abuse when it occurs. Therefore, in 2024, the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery in Bangladesh (DGNM), with support from the UK and UNFPA, developed a framework to safeguard midwives/nurses and students from workplace abuse, connect them with their workplace rights and establish a zero-tolerance approach to harassment.
A working group was formed to develop the framework, with representatives from policy level, practice, education, regulatory body, administration, professional associations and women’s groups. Expert advice was provided by a regional safeguarding specialist and the draft was validated at a national workshop. The framework consists of a survivor-focused standard operating procedure aligned with national laws and guidelines, a dedicated safeguarding cell within the DGNM, and a helpline and email address for reporting abuse. There are newly-defined reporting and investigation processes and the provision of medical, legal and psychosocial assistance as required. Faculty and nurse/midwife managers received training-of-trainers and national and divisional staff, midwives/nurses and students received orientation.
Next steps in 2025 will be final approval from the Ministry, launch and implementation of the framework with dissemination to all nurses and midwives, education institutions, students and service managers, through the DGNM, the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council and professional associations.
Speakers: Heather Bradford and Amy Goh
Facilitator: Adetoro Adegoke
The provision of safe and respectful sexual and reproductive care is a basic human right and a core value of reproductive justice. A provider’s choice of words, and how the words are delivered, lays the foundation of the patient-provider encounter. Most importantly, intentionality in choosing respectful and inclusive language can positively influence whether patients feel seen and valued as human beings. Written documentation, and how patients are described in electronic health records, including historically stigmatized words, can perpetuate racial disparities in healthcare delivery. In an effort to advance health equity and improve sexual and reproductive healthcare quality, an extensive literature review of peer-reviewed publications in PubMed, current textbooks, and national guidelines on recommended sexual and reproductive healthcare language was conducted in 2024.
This presentation has 3 objectives:
(1) describe the harms and opportunities in language in written and spoken form, including the electronic health record, provider-to-provider communication, and patient-provider communication
(2) provide a review of female anatomy and procedures as gendered nomenclature and;
(3) review the harms of stigmatizing language and current recommendations for patient-centered and inclusive language in sexual and reproductive healthcare settings and scholarly writing using sample reproductive healthcare vignettes.
Learners will be able to revise a written vignette so that it is patient-centered and uses person-first, anti-oppressive language.
Speaker: Jamie Hanson
Facilitator: Celine Lemay
Non-access to Perinatal mental health services for Black African Women can lead to increased perinatal morbidity and mortality in relation to mental health. Three quarters of Black and Brown Women’s morbidity is associated with suicide in the postnatal period, and they are more likely to experience adverse outcomes during pregnancy and the postnatal period compared to white women (MBRRACE, 2023). Health inequalities within maternity services also increase the risk of mental health challenges which is exacerbated by unemployment, poverty and homelessness which adds to the challenges of the women accessing perinatal mental health services (Rothman et al, 2020). There is also the associated stigma within the Black African community in declaring mental health challenges and it being viewed as ‘shameful’ and embarrassing to admit to feeling depression leading to alienation and preventing the women form seeking help from health professionals (Watson et al, 2019). The reluctance to access support is also compounded by negative experiences from health professionals and engagement with primary care (Edge and Mackian, 2010). What we don’t know is how the women can be supported in accessing services and what is required to be on place. The contribution to knowledge is exploring and describing attitudes to perinatal mental health, listening to the women’s voices and understanding the service and how it can be improved. Methods An Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative (EDQ) study design was employed which allows for a social constructivist and interpretivist approach (Reid and Happell, 2012).
Speakers: Ronny Valenzuela, Vicki Penwell & Vijaya Krishnan
Facilitator: Adebukunola Olajumoke Afolabi
Collaboration is a cornerstone of effective, safe, and respectful maternity care. The International Childbirth Initiative framework centers the role of midwives in the provision of respectful care and creates a space to allow for increased understanding and promotion of midwifery across countries where midwifery has not been integrated. The goal of the Initiative is to promote practices that allow for safe physiological birth, including promotion of the midwifery philosophy and access to continuous support. The need for midwives is greater than ever as globally we observe a trend of increasing maternal mortality and sharply increasing rates of cesarean birth.
This panel will introduce the Initiative, with midwives speaking from participating health facilities in Chile, India, and the Philippines about their experiences of collaborating with their community, physicians, nurses, administrators, and policy makers through the Initiative’s platform.
Speaker: Carla Godoy
Facilitator: Susana Ku
Las parteras desempeñan un papel fundamental en la salud y el bienestar de nuestras comunidades, pero han enfrentan desafÃos como la falta de reconocimiento, apoyo institucional y oportunidades laborales. Es esencial fortalecer su rol, generar empleo y garantizar el respeto por su labor.
Más que un oficio, ser partera es una vocación que implica acompañar a las madres en momentos cruciales con profesionalismo y seguridad. Sin embargo, a pesar de su importancia histórica, muchas veces no reciben el reconocimiento que merecen. Para cambiar esta realidad, es clave impulsar oportunidades laborales en hospitales, clnicas y programas comunitarios de salud.
La solución pasa por la organización, la creación de redes de apoyo y la búsqueda de alianzas con el sector público y privado. Al unir fuerzas, es posible reducir el desempleo dentro de la comunidad de parteras y asegurar que su labor sea vista como indispensable para el bienestar social.
El camino hacia un mayor reconocimiento y estabilidad laboral requiere compromiso y trabajo conjunto. La unión de las parteras es su mayor fortaleza para lograr que su profesión sea valorada y esencial en la sociedad.
….
Midwives play a fundamental role in the health and well-being of our communities, but they have faced challenges such as a lack of recognition, institutional support, and job opportunities. It is essential to strengthen their role, create jobs, and ensure respect for their work.
More than a profession, being a midwife is a vocation that involves accompanying mothers in crucial moments with professionalism and confidence. However, despite their historical importance, they often do not receive the recognition they deserve. To change this reality, it is key to promote job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and community health programs.
The solution lies in organization, the creation of support networks, and the pursuit of partnerships with the public and private sectors. By joining forces, it is possible to reduce unemployment within the midwifery community and ensure that their work is seen as indispensable to social well-being.
The path to greater recognition and job stability requires commitment and collaborative work. The unity of midwives is their greatest strength in ensuring that their profession is valued and essential in society.
Check time in your location https://bit.ly/VIDM25-session-20
Speaker: Cindy Farley, Katie Booan and Chastity Burchuk
Facilitator: Caroline Maringa (Nyambura)
Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is an unusually short, thickened, or tight band of tissue tethering the tongue and restricting its movement. It is estimated to affect 4-10% of newborns. In the newborn period, it can be associated with breastfeeding difficulties, often diagnosed when nipple pain develops during nursing. Longer term consequences can include eating and speech problems. Other oral structures can be affected by tight tissues, such as cheeks and lips, contributing to limited oral range of motion.
Ankyloglossia occurs on a continuum from mild to severe, and therefore, management options vary. Tincture of time and instruction on latch and positioning during breastfeeding can be all that is needed for the mildest cases. Other options can include physical therapy and massage to the oral structures of the infant. Frenulectomy is the surgical release of the tight tissue and is accomplished with a small incision. There has been an increase in the diagnosis of ankyloglossia and frenulectomy, raising concerns regarding overdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.
Midwives are intimately involved in the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding and the promotion of maternal and infant health, particularly in the early weeks after birth. This presentation will review diagnostic criteria and the latest evidence regarding ankyloglossia and will equip the midwife with assessment skills and management options to offer the parents of the infant with ankyloglossia. This is the 10th Annual Georgetown Student Cafe presented by midwife students at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States.
Speaker: Mouhtassine Khadija
Facilitator: Linda Wylie
Introduction: Fear of childbirth (tocophobia) is a significant maternal health issue that affects physical and emotional well-being. Tocophobia can lead to complications during pregnancy and childbirth, requiring special attention from midwives. Factors such as maternal age, parity, psychological conditions, lack of social support, history of abuse, and obstetrical complications are strongly associated with this condition. This study aims to assess the prevalence of tocophobia among pregnant women in Settat Province and identify related factors to inform midwifery practices.
Methods: A quantitative study was conducted with 194 pregnant women recruited in Settat Province. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire comprising two sections: the first explored tocophobia-associated factors, and the second evaluated childbirth fear using the EPA scale. Descriptive statistical analysis, mean comparisons of EPA scores, and factor assessments were performed to identify significant correlations.
Results: The average age of participants was 26.31 years, with 59% multiparous and 41% primiparous women. Multiparous women reported higher EPA scores (42.30) than primiparous women (40.63). Significant associations were observed between tocophobia and psychological disorders, experiences of violence, and negative childbirth experiences (p=0.000). These findings suggest that prior trauma and psychological factors are critical determinants of fear of childbirth.
Conclusion: This study underscores the necessity of evaluating tocophobia in pregnant women to improve their well-being and that of their children, thereby preventing complications.
Speakers: Helen Bedford, Mike Parker and Amy Coates
Facilitator: Elisa Segoni
Our presentation showcases the design and implementation of a dynamic, co-created curriculum which integrates and optimises excellence for midwifery education. The Connected Curriculum (Fung 2017) underpins two distinctive UK midwifery pre-registration programmes (a three year undergraduate [BMidHons] and an integrated 4 year Masters [MMid]), founded on global evidence (Renfrew et al 2014) and meeting rigorous national (Nursing &; Midwifery Council 2019) and global (International Confederation of Midwives 2021) midwifery education standards.
Fung’s (2017) Connected Curriculum is values based. Learning through research and inquiry forms the central core, linked to six dimensions which enable connectivity to midwifery as follows a through line of research activity, supporting students to:
- connect with researchers/institutional research,
- make connections across subjects/out to the world,
- connect academic learning with workplace learning,
- produce outputs (assessments) directed at an audience,
- connect with each other, across phases/ with alumni.
This presentation has relevance and utility for a global audience of clinicians, educators and students within and beyond midwifery. It will also illustrate how an inclusive midwifery curriculum is operating within an institution characterised by:
- Gold/Sustainability recognition of embedding Baby Friendly Standards (UK Unicef BFI 2024)
- nationally rated Gold for teaching excellence (Office for Students 2024)
- high quality research (Research Excellence Framework 2024)
- strategic vision as a university for public good for local, national and international communities (University of York 2024)
The presentation/discussion will feature transferable implementation ideas for impact, showcasing a connected midwifery curriculum which enriches individual/collective student experience for midwifery excellence.
Speaker: Elsie Gayle
Facilitator: Celine Lemay
Mothers and Babies of African Descent have some of the poorest outcomes of the childbearing continuum irrespective of their gross national income (GNI) per capita, whether low, medium or high income countries.
The establishment of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent at the United Nations (Geneva) in December 2022 began the journey to create a dedicated forum to focus on midwives and mothers who are on the ground delivering and receiving maternity care within those communities. Mother and Midwives Across the Diaspora has made intervention at each Permanent Forum Session to support this work.
The aim of the presentation is to share the journey to date of this unique network, to refocus on the value of midwifery to ameliorating mortality and morbidity of Black mothers and babies worldwide. It will describe the approach being used to garner the knowledge and skills of midwives across the world, utilising every means of supporting professional and vocational approaches to achieve its aims. It will share outcomes and achievements. The presentation will welcome ongoing support of delegates in the furthering of good global midwifery relationships.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/permanent-forum-people-african-descent
Check time in your location https://bit.ly/VIDM25-session-22
Speaker: Sandra Mutilva
Facilitator: Caroline Maringa (Nyambura)
Introduction: Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare holds transformative potential for midwifery, enhancing prenatal care, labour and delivery outcomes, and postnatal support. This systematic review evaluates how AI technologies can improve decision-making, client outcomes, and personalized care, highlighting the urgency for midwifery professionals to adapt to this emerging innovation.
Methods: Following a PROSPERO-registered protocol and PRISMA guidelines, this review investigated the impact of AI interventions in midwifery. A comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE) and grey literature identified studies focusing on AI applications in women’s health, including prenatal, labour, and postnatal care. Data extraction captured key insights into the implementation and impact of AI. The PRISMA flow diagram documented the study selection process.
Results: The review explored AI applications across medical imaging, diagnostics, predictive analytics, personalized medicine, natural language processing, robotics, virtual health assistants, and genomics in midwifery. AI technologies improved diagnostic accuracy, patient monitoring, risk assessment, treatment personalization, and expedited drug discovery. Moreover, by automating routine tasks and reducing administrative burdens, AI supports midwives in focusing more on client care and their well-being. These innovations streamline clinical workflows and enhance patient outcomes, demonstrating AIs transformative potential in midwifery.
Conclusions: AI integration in midwifery is an emerging reality with profound implications for practice and care. Preparedness through training, professional development, and supportive regulations is essential to ensure ethical and effective adoption. Future research should address integration guidelines, challenges, benefits, and long-term impacts, ensuring AI complements midwifery’s core values while advancing client care.
Speaker: Judith Mercer
Facilitator: Ally Anderson
This presentation will explain how sustained umbilical cord circulation from placental transfusion after birth facilitates a large auto-transfusion from the placenta to the infant that holds potential for saving babies lives. This transfer of blood provides an innate force within the newborn’s body enhancing blood flow and perfusion, essential for normal growth, development, and regeneration. High progesterone levels, prime the body to receive blood at this time. Enhanced blood volume causes high pulmonary artery pressure for approximately the first 10 post-birth hours likely driving maximum perfusion throughout the whole body. The enhanced blood volume floods the newborn’s brainstem and other organs, prevents hypovolemia as well as subtle or overt ischemia, and helps the newborn regain homeostasis after the stress of birth.
This presentation provides evidence for each facet, explains how they work together to ensure newborn health, and will discuss the high cost of immediate (ICC) or early cord clamping (ECC).
Speakers: Marjolein Pijnappels and Susana Ku Carbonell
Facilitator: Catherine Salam
The Birth Future International Project explores innovative future scenarios for birth care, grounded in developments shaped by birthing communities and midwives as key agents of change. This study employs a qualitative method approach, integrating traditional participatory research methodologies with innovative, arts-based practices to guide participants through immersive processes of exploration and co-creation. Our cross-cultural sampling includes midwives from the Netherlands and Peru 90 , alongside service users from India, offering diverse perspectives on the evolving dynamics of birth care.
Our data analysis is based on action research analysis. Preliminary data analysis has informed the development of a zine, which synthesizes participant contributions into an accessible, creative format. This zine unveils a transformative vision for birth care, such as different ways of developing perinatal technology (technology for autonomy, rather than control), the role of the community in which birth (care) is embedded, addressing systemic injustice and inequality in global north and south, midwives as educated birth advocates/portals for bridging new ways of (birth) care, those articulated through critical reflections on participants’ lived experiences and current practices. Participants then identified innovative, community-centered care models that emphasize equity, cultural responsiveness, and inclusivity. Furthermore, the preliminary findings underscore the potential of participatory, arts-based research to amplify underrepresented voices and foster critical discourse on the future of maternal and newborn care.
By integrating interdisciplinary methodologies and global perspectives, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on the co-creation of equitable, humane, and sustainable birth care practices.
Speaker: Yvonne Meyer
Facilitator: Celine Lemay
Sages-femmes dans certaines publications. C’est le cas pour l’inscription de notre activité professionnelle au patrimoine immatériel UNESCO où, dans l’annonce en français, le mot sage-femme est absent du titre. Comment sont présentées les sages-femmes ailleurs ? Neuf documents ont été repérés qui ont pour titre l’art, les soins, la pratique, les sciences ou la profession de sage-femme. Les résumés de ces documents seront présentés, ainsi que l’analyse réalisée, basée sur les critères de soins centrés sur le patient (Rycroft-Maloine, 2004). Les résultats montrent que toutes ces formulations sont polysémiques et qu’elles n’ont pas exactement la même portée. Par contre, toutes présentent haut et fort les sages-femmes et ce qui les caractérise. Si UNESCO avait titré « Les soins de sage-femme : connaissances, savoir-faire et pratiques », les sages-femmes seraient visibles partout dans le monde francophone.
The theme of the intervention is motivated by a regrettable problem of visibility of midwives in certain publications. This is the case for the inclusion of our professional activity in UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, where, in the French announcement, the word sage-femme is absent from the title. How are midwives presented elsewhere? Nine documents have been identified that deal with the art, care, practice, science or profession of midwifery. Summaries of these documents will be presented, along with the analysis carried out, based on the criteria of patient-centred care (Rycroft-Maloine, 2004). The results show that all these formulations are polysemous and do not have exactly the same scope. However, they all make a strong case for midwives and what characterises them. If UNESCO had published the title « Les soins de sage-femme: connaissances, savoir-faire et pratiques » (‘Midwifery: knowledge, skills and practices’), midwives would be visible throughout the French-speaking world.
Check time in your location https://bit.ly/VIDM25-closing-session
As always the closing session will follow immediately after completion of the closing keynote. We will show the slideshow of those attending and be entertained by Tracy Curran, who will entertain us with A Midwifery Anthem: VIDM 2025.
Check the time in your location here https://bit.ly/VIDM25-closing-session
