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: Fatimah Azzahra
Facilitator: Isabella Garti
Introduction: The success of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) is associated with the increasing global prevalence of cesarean sections. VBAC presents a feasible alternative for numerous women, reducing the necessity for repeat cesarean sections and the related risks.
Objective: Our review identifies essential medical, psychological, and institutional factors that affect VBAC outcomes.
Methods: This study examined 21 peer-reviewed articles sourced from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The examined factors included maternal age, prior vaginal birth experience, cervical dilation, access to healthcare, and psychosocial support.
Results: A successful VBAC is often associated with younger maternal age, a prior history of vaginal birth, spontaneous onset of labor, and adequate cervical dilation at the time of admission. Psychosocial support, encompassing familial encouragement and guidance from healthcare professionals, significantly influenced decisions regarding VBAC. Hospital policies supporting VBAC and improving access to emergency services have increased success rates.
Conclusion: The success of VBAC is determined by multiple medical, social, and institutional factors. Our review underscores the necessity for standardized practices that facilitate VBAC and enhanced counseling to empower women’s decisions regarding childbirth. Future research should investigate large, diverse, multicenter cohorts to validate the predictors of VBAC success and assess long-term outcomes compared to repeat cesarean sections.
Key message: Empowering natural birth after a cesarean requires a multifaceted approach, with a particular focus on medical factors. Equally important are continuous care and fostering a positive mindset, which is essential to achieving a successful natural birth and is supported by midwives, obstetricians, and all birth workers.
Speakers: Eunice Iluobe Akhigbe and Ridwan Abdusalam
Facilitator: Linda Wylie
Neonatal jaundice is a common but potentially serious condition caused by elevated bilirubin levels, which, if left untreated, can lead to kernicterus, an irreversible neurological disorder. While advances in neonatal care have improved management, myths and misconceptions continue to delay timely healthcare-seeking behavior, particularly in underserved communities.
This study explores the impact of cultural beliefs on neonatal jaundice management, emphasizing the critical role of midwives in community education, early diagnosis, and timely medical intervention. A review of clinical data, community health reports, and maternal health education programs highlights key misconceptions, including: The belief that jaundice is harmless and does not require medical attention. The misconception that sunlight exposure alone can cure jaundice, delaying hospital visits. Cultural remedies discouraging breastfeeding, leading to dehydration and worsening hyperbilirubinemia.
To combat these challenges, this study recommends:
- Community education campaigns to promote awareness of neonatal jaundice risks and medical care.
- Midwife training and engagement to strengthen their role in addressing myths and guiding caregivers.
- Integration of traditional and medical practices through collaboration with community leaders.
- Improved access to phototherapy and neonatal care, especially in rural areas.
- Mother-to-mother peer support networks, such as the Wellbeing Foundation Mamacare WhatsApp groups.
- Policy advocacy for neonatal jaundice screening programs at birth and early postnatal visits.
By addressing misconceptions through midwife-led education and advocacy, this approach enhances early intervention, reduces neonatal complications, and improves health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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.
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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.
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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.
