Onwards and upwards. Turning a pandemic into midwifery opportunities
Speaker: Sarah Stewart
Facilitator: Deborah Davis
Fifteen years ago I started the Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) on my kitchen table. The first year I pretty much spent talking to myself. Who could have guessed all these years later that a global pandemic, which would cause such devastation, would also make virtual conferencing an everyday occurrence. And that the organising committee could leverage COVID-19 into an opportunity to grow the VIDM to an audience of thousands across the world. In this presentation I will be reflecting on the lessons I learned over the years I was facilitating the VIDM about leadership, collaboration and innovation which are critical elements we need to influence and shape midwifery and women/people-centred care as we transition out of the pandemic.
Recording: https://youtu.be/TeuD1XwAEU0
Title: Professional Midwifery: Revolutionising Maternal Care in India
Speaker: Indie Kaur
Facilitators: Red Miller and Suman Lata
Research shows that midwife-led care reduces unnecessary interventions, and mothers go on to have better birth experiences. In 2011, Fernandez Hospital piloted an in-house professional midwifery education and training program when such a cadre did not exist in India. Unnecessary interventions like episiotomies and epidurals decreased, and women’s positive feedback increased yearly. Looking at this success, the Government of Telangana and UNICEF partnered with Fernandez Hospital to pilot midwifery training in its public hospitals.
These midwives created a paradigm shift in maternity care, helped increase normal births, and promoted respectful maternity care in the state’s public facilities. This led to the government investing in the need for separate training for midwives in India and launching ‘Guidelines on Midwifery Services’ in 2018. This was a historic moment for midwifery in the country, recognising the need for a separate professional training building on a strong cadre and rolling our midwifery care to women and new-born in the country.
The Foundation has since partnered with The Government of India and Telangana State with the support of The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF to train midwifery educators in India, strengthening midwifery services.
Title: Biomechanics for birth: New learning & insights for practice: The 3 R’s
Speaker: Molly O’Brien
Facilitator: Linda Wylie
Midwifery work is wide ranging. In essence we are public health practitioners, protecting, maintaining and enhancing the health and wellbeing of women and their families. As skilled practitioners we seek to understand and mitigate myriad factors that contribute to ill health while aiming to support and optimise birth physiology as per our code of proficiency.
Specifically, the presentation focuses on labour dystocia and the midwifery skill of recognising when birth goes awry using the art and science of watchful attendance. It looks at ways to support physiology to reduce difficulties during the birth process and seeks to resolve mechanical difficulties by optimising physiology including the use of biomechanical techniques.
This presentation highlights areas of midwifery training and education that hinder understanding of anatomy and physiology in relation to the birth process and the baby’s journey through the pelvis. It examines the impact the dominant biomedical model of care has on midwifery practice, the profession as a whole and the women who use the service.
Recording: youtube.com/watch?v=FVN63zUtXXI
Speaker: Paloma Terra and Maria do Perpétuo Socorro da Silva Rodrigues
Facilitator: Susana Ku
This presentation will be based on the research project Midwives of the Brazilian Amazon by Paloma Terra funded by Huron University of Canada. The project uses Critical and Decolonial research methodology and did interviews with Traditional Midwives of the Brazilian upper Amazon Region. This discussion will be a joint presentation in Portuguese with Maria do Socorro who is the president of the Midwifery Association Algodão Roxo a Traditional Midwives Association of the State of Amazonas. We will discuss the place of Traditional Midwifery in the modern world and why it is important to work to preserve and strengthen it. Socorro will present in Portuguese the history of the formation of the Association and their current work and struggles. Paloma will share some of the main take aways from the research project in both English and Portuguese.
Recording: https://youtu.be/RQco_ouNrCU
Title: Considering evidence and wisdom in professional reality
Speaker: Céline Lemay
Facilitator: Elisa Segoni
With EBM we also see a proliferation of guidelines and recommendations directed targeting practitioners that are expected to “apply” them and valuing a standardised care. In their daily practice midwives are facing two different important professional orientations: following guidelines/protocols and also providing a woman centered individualized care. How to take the most appropriate decision for the patient then? The reality is complex and often hold ethical tensions. How can we demonstrate a good quality of care? In past years there was a number of publications promoting the importance of more practical wisdom or “phronesis” in health care professional practice. A review of literature on the subject was undertook and 37 papers were selected to answer the main question: how can we understand the meaning of practical wisdom and its place for a good quality of healthcare? Can practical wisdom be learned, taught, developed and cultivated? We will develop the mean findings of our review, highlighting the fundamental place of professional judgement in the profession. It is a question of using discernment and deliberation to decide the best action for the good of a unique person in a context of care. There is also the valorisation of a reflexive practice in clinical places as well as using narratives of experiences to learn discussion and reflection during undergraduate period. In all context of care practical wisdom can help midwives to use the strengths of EBM AND have a woman centered care. It is seen as a mean to flourish as a professional.
Recording: https://youtu.be/Ir1AJXKZVQs
Title: Changing the course of history – Midwives, Midwifery
Speaker: Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent
Facilitator(s): Cecilia Jevitt
This session describes the impact of midwives as a ripple through generations and the significant contribution midwives make throughout the life course. Listeners will be challenged to reflect on their contribution to childbirth experiences and outcomes within the context of the changing world. Years from now will we throw up our hands or role up our sleeves? The session will end with a call to action.
Recording: https://youtu.be/RNcRroY3U2k
Title:- Essential Midwifery Skills, Experience and Practice in the Face of Disaster
Speaker: Ibu Robin Lim
Facilitator: Linda Wylie
Abstract:
Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanic Eruptions, Fires, Floods, Conflicts, Migrations, Pandemics, Typhoons, Landslides, Liquefaction, Tornadoes… Your midwifery skills and experience are needed more than ever in the era of bigger more frequent disasters driven by the Climate Crisis and global conflicts. My aim in this hour is to help you feel prepared. The times are radical, and we must be ever more responsible. Collaborative care including Midwives ~ Doulas ~ Nurses ~ Doctors, balancing Science with Nature and Spirit is the Grandmother’s sacred way, I invite you to walk with me.
Recording: https://youtu.be/nvFPp9aVF24
The Role of Midwifery in Respectful Maternal Care and Mental Health through the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s Mamacare360 Program
Speaker: Toyin Saraki
Co-Presenters: Dr. Pragya Vishwakarma, Ms. Eunice AlexGreat Akhigbe
Facilitator(s): Halima Abdul
Abstract:
The Mamacare360 program, implemented by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) Midwives, is aligned with Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to ensure good health and wellbeing for all. Central to its mission is the enhancement of maternal health through the promotion of Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) for all women throughout the continuum of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Recognising the pivotal role of the relationship between pregnant women and their primary healthcare providers in shaping health outcomes for both mother and newborn, WBFA highlights the significance of this connection in fostering postnatal health and wellbeing.
Respectful maternity care is upheld as a fundamental human right, deserving of every childbearing woman within every healthcare system globally (WRA, 2010). WBFA advocates for this principle, emphasising the inherent dignity and autonomy of women throughout the childbirth process. This ethos is echoed in the Lancet Midwifery Series (2014), which asserts that midwifery is indispensable in addressing the challenges associated with delivering high-quality maternal and newborn care universally. Moreover, it is recognized as an effective strategy for promoting the health and wellbeing of women of reproductive age, newborns, and their families, thereby exerting a significant and sustainable impact on population health outcomes. Through a grassroots and community-led approach, Mamacare360 not only delivers essential maternal and child health services but also fosters a culture of empowerment and resilience among women.
This presentation will explore the multifaceted impact of Mamacare360, with a particular emphasis on the transformative power of midwifery. By bringing skilled midwives directly to the doorsteps of communities, the program ensures access to quality prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. By engaging with local women as advocates and educators, Mamacare360 cultivates a sense of ownership over maternal health, fostering sustainable improvements in healthcare-seeking behaviours.
The Mamacare360 program also acknowledges the often-overlooked aspect of maternal mental health. Recognising the profound impact of psychological wellbeing on maternal and child outcomes, the program integrates mental health support into its holistic approach. Through counselling, peer support groups, and community outreach initiatives, Mamacare360 addresses the unique challenges faced by mothers, promoting mental resilience and overall wellbeing.
Recording: https://youtu.be/8l4fhB_1C88
Enhancing Obstetric Prehospital Care: Insights from Midwives in Lima, Peru
Speaker: Ginger Garcia
Facilitator(s): Susana Ku
Abstract:
This presentation delves into the experiences of a dedicated group of midwives in Lima, Peru, who possess specialized training to provide prehospital care during natural disasters. Peru’s diverse climate often leads to natural disasters that directly impact communities, underscoring the critical need for immediate attention in such situations. While the overarching approach is holistic, special emphasis is placed on the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly. The goal is to deliver swift and timely care, focusing on prevention and support for women amidst crises. Furthermore, sustainability is prioritized, with an emphasis on resource efficiency and waste reduction, promoting natural childbirth, exclusive breastfeeding, and optimal nutrition. Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change on maternal and fetal health, proactive measures are taken to address eventualities swiftly and effectively.
Check the time in your location: https://bit.ly/VIDM24-closing-session
Recording: Not Available
