International Day of the Midwife, 5 May

From the WHO website:
http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/news_events/events/international-day-midwife-2018/en/

Midwives are essential to the provision of quality of care, in all settings, globally

All women and newborns have a right to a quality of care that enables a positive childbirth experience that includes respect and dignity, a companion of choice, clear communication by maternity staff, pain relief strategies, mobility in labour and birth position of choice.

Evidence shows us that:
- Midwives educated and qualified to international standards can provide 87% of services needed by mothers and newborns1.
- Women in receipt of WHO recommended midwife-led continuity of care experience a 24% reduction of preterm births, are 16% less likely to lose their baby, and report higher satisfaction with their birth experience2.
- We must work to ensure that all women have access to continuity of care delivered by a midwife educated and regulated to ICM Standards.

Safe water, sanitation and good hygiene saves lives
However, for many midwives it is not possible to provide quality of care because of lack of basic water and sanitation services. 38% of facilities lack access to even rudimentary levels of water, 19% lack sanitation and 35% do not have water and soap for hand-washing... copied from (HIFA)