Now it’s obvious to everyone that women didn’t always give birth in hospitals, as a matter of fact, most of them commonly would give birth in their very own homes under the guidance of an experienced woman. Some are specialized in the process of giving birth and who helped it come to fruition naturally, and all those women were given the name midwives.
The International Midwives Day is celebrated yearly on the 5th of May, offering the opportunity to honor and appreciate the work of midwives, and further promote the awareness of the crucial care that the midwives offer to mothers and their newborns.
As of 2022, there are 143 midwives’ associations representing 124 countries around the world, which includes the Confederation of African Midwives’ Associations (CONAMA), which was inaugurated in the year 2013.
History of International Midwives Day
The history of Midwifery dates back to prehistory, although there are records of midwife’s traditions all over the world. These women studied the birthing process and the vital role it plays when it comes to perpetuating the species and its cultural significance. While it’s true in ancient days their practices were based heavily on experience and superstition, today’s midwives are just as capable of seeing a woman to term as the more commonly used OB/GYNs and Obstetricians.
While there are men who take part in midwifery. Thousands of years of tradition have rendered this of medicine almost exclusively a woman’s art. So much so, that to be a midwife in ancient Greece you had to have given birth yourself. Also, it is this history that led to the division between Midwifery and Obstetricians, a split that occurred around 17th century Europe.
White Midwifery practice of midwifery fell off for a while in the past hundred years, there has been a rise in movement towards home birth that is making this practice more relevant than ever. The International Midwives Day celebrates these intrepid men and women and the party that they play in a happy home and healthy birth.
International Midwives Themes
There have been several numbers of different themes over the years for International Midwives Day. A new theme would be set every year. There have been some years where the previous themes would continue onto the next. Below are some of the themes of the international midwife’s day so far:
- The World Needs Midwives Now More Than Ever
- Midwives Changing the World One Family at a Time
- Midwives: For a Better Tomorrow
- Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery
- Midwives, Mothers, and Families: Partners for Life!
- Midwives: Defenders of Women’s Rights
Aim of International Midwives Day
There are three major aims of the international Holiday irrespective of the theme they use. They include:
- Inform everyone interested in both justice and health that midwives are very critical in lowering neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity
- To celebrate the achievements of the midwives, which includes contribution to improving newborn, reproductive, maternal, and sexual health outcomes.
- Motivative policymakers to implement change by recognizing the unique professional role of a midwife, which includes lobbying for adequate midwifery resources.
How to Celebrate International Midwives Day
Studying midwifery and its significance for home births is one of the greatest ways to commemorate International Midwives’ Day.
Send a thank-you note or give them a call to express your gratitude if you know a midwife or if one assists you in giving birth. Midwives are usually quite fond of updates and have a strong emotional attachment to the babies they assist in delivering!
FAQ
Who is a midwife?
A Midwife is someone who has been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational program, duly recognized in the country in which it is located, has completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery, and has acquired the requisite qualifications that are to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.
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