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.
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.
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: 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: 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.
