“Midwifery in a changing world: finding calm in the chaos.”
1. Introduction
Midwifery is practised within a world that is changing rapidly and, at times, unpredictably. Climate-related disasters, armed conflict and forced displacement, workforce shortages, economic pressure on health systems and the accelerating adoption of digital technologies are all reshaping the context in which maternity care is provided. For midwives, these pressures are not abstract: they are encountered daily at the bedside, in the community and in the classroom.
VIDM 2027 invites the global midwifery community to examine a central question: how can midwives continue to provide safe, respectful and evidence-based care and sustain themselves as professionals when the environment around them is in flux?
2. Understanding “Calm in the Chaos”
“Calm” in this context does not imply passivity or acceptance of inadequate conditions. It describes a professional capacity that is built upon:
- A strong and current evidence base to guide clinical decision-making.
- Reflective practice and emotional literacy.
- Supportive teams, effective leadership and collegial networks.
- Systems that enable midwives to practise to the full scope of their education and training.
Physiological understanding of birth, relational care and clinical judgement allow midwives to offer stability to women and families at moments of vulnerability. This stability is most effective when it is matched by organisational and policy support.
3. The Role of Midwifery
Midwives provide care across the continuum of pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period, and promote the health of women, newborns and families. Midwifery-led continuity of care is associated with a range of benefits, including fewer interventions and higher maternal satisfaction, as demonstrated in systematic reviews such as the Cochrane review of midwife-led continuity models. Midwifery is also recognised internationally as central to improving maternal and newborn outcomes and to advancing universal health coverage.
4. Challenges in a Changing World
Midwives increasingly face challenges that influence both the quality of care and the wellbeing of the workforce:
- Environmental change: heat stress, air pollution, floods and food insecurity affect pregnancy outcomes and disrupt service delivery.
- Humanitarian crises: conflict, displacement and the breakdown of health infrastructure place women and newborns at heightened risk.
- Workforce pressures: shortages, unsafe staffing levels, burnout and moral distress threaten retention and quality of care.
- Persistent inequities: disparities in access, outcomes and experience continue to affect marginalised and underserved populations.
- Digital transformation: telehealth, decision-support tools and artificial intelligence offer opportunity but raise questions of equity, safety and ethics.
5. Sub-themes for VIDM 2027
Presentations and posters are welcome in, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Evidence-based midwifery practice and physiological birth.
- Continuity of carer and midwifery models of care.
- Midwifery in humanitarian, conflict and disaster settings.
- Climate change and reproductive, maternal and newborn health.
- Workforce wellbeing, resilience and safe staffing.
- Digital health, telemidwifery and artificial intelligence.
- Respectful maternity care, cultural safety and equity.
- Midwifery education, leadership, regulation and policy.
- Perinatal mental health and trauma-informed care.
6. Strengthening Resilience: Individual, Team and System
Resilience should not be framed solely as an individual responsibility. Sustainable change requires action at several levels:
- Individual: reflective practice, peer support and access to continuing professional development.
- Team: psychologically safe working environments and collaborative, interprofessional relationships.
- System: investment in midwifery education, safe staffing, fair remuneration and policies that enable autonomous practice.
- Global: shared learning, research collaboration and advocacy across professional and national boundaries.
7. Conclusion
Change is a constant feature of contemporary healthcare, but it need not undermine the quality of midwifery care. By sharing evidence, experience and innovation, the midwifery community can identify practical strategies that preserve calm, compassion and clinical excellence in uncertain times.
VIDM 2027 will bring together midwives, students, researchers, educators and consumers from around the world for 24 hours of continuous, free and open exchange. We warmly invite you to join us.
Date: 4/5/6 May 2027 (24 hours, online and free to attend)
Registration: Register here
