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: 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.
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.
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.
