Increasing access to quality midwifery services throughout a number of developing countries could save the lives of millions of women and babies, according to a report released by the United Nations.
The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011 report – the first of its kind in 35 years – estimates each year 350,000 women die while pregnant or giving birth. Additionally, nearly two million newborns die in the first 24 hours of life. The majority of these deaths occur in low-income countries and most, if not all, are preventable with basic obstetrical care which could be provided by midwives.
“This is not a matter of statistics. The woman who perishes from haemorrhaging during childbirth or the infant who dies during a complicated birth each has a name and a family who love and cherish them,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote in the report’s foreword. “Beyond individual tragedy, these losses carry untold social and economic repercussions for society.”
The report surveyed 58 developing countries, accounting for nearly 60% of the world’s total births, and found that 38 are currently experiencing a “severe” midwifery workforce shortage. In order to effectively address this shortage, the UN is calling for an additional 112,000 midwives to be trained, hired, and practising in these countries by 2015. Moreover, the UN concludes that quality midwifery services, which are carefully integrated within these countries and their respective health care systems, will ensure a continuum of care is provided to women throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Additionally, midwives will be able to facilitate referrals to obstetricians, paediatricians, and other specialists when required.
“Ensuring that every woman and her newborn have access to quality midwifery services demands that we take bold steps to build on what we have achieved so far across communities, countries, regions and the world,” added Mr. Ban. “Our responsibility is clear: we must safeguard each woman and child so they may live to their full potential. The results will reverberate far beyond the lives of those directly affected, fostering a better world for all.”
In a 2009 study published in CMAJ, researchers concluded that “planned home births attended by a registered midwife was associated with very low and comparable rates of perinatal (the period shortly before and after birth) death and reduced rates of obstetric interventions and adverse maternal outcomes.”
For more information on midwifery, please read our pages on Choosing a Health Care Provider and Home Birth. Also see our article "Home birth with certified midwives: Safe for mother and baby."
Joel Tiller
Writer/Editor
AboutKidsHealth