May 5th is an internationally recognized day to highlight the work of midwives. This day was first discussed in the late 1980s, with an official initiative launched in 1992. Thus, every year on May 5th, the world is asked to focus on the role of midwives and midwifery. International Midwives’ Day is an opportunity for every individual midwife to reflect on themselves and others in the profession, to use the day to establish new contacts, and to expand knowledge about the role midwives play in the world. Since 2015, the International Confederation of Midwives – ICM – has been using the general slogan “The world needs midwives today more than ever” as part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the need for midwives.
Photo: Poloni Avanzo; more photos of the midwifery run: click
This year’s slogan, chosen by the International Confederation of Midwives ICM for International Midwives’ Day, was:
“Midwives, mothers and families – partners for life.” They believe in partnership and, of course, the benefits of midwifery.
This year’s May 5th in Slovenia took place in Ljubljana with beautiful weather and a walk to Rožnik, organized by the Midwives’ Section. At 5:00 PM, a run was held in Prešeren Square with midwifery students and Vzajemna. We also followed news about midwives and midwifery in the media.
Some captured moments:
OnaPlus briefly summarized today’s events. Births will be increasingly led by midwives in the future – Dnevnik.si
Jana magazine shared a link on FB to an interview with the one and only Rok Janežič. I agree when he talks about the advantages of smaller maternity hospitals: “I am lucky to work in a smaller maternity hospital, as I know many patients from before…” I also support his statement: “I would be lying if I said that sometimes I don’t tell a woman that what she imagines is wrong. People respect it if you present it to them with arguments. We must listen to each other.” And it’s true, midwives themselves should participate in the bureaucracy that contributes to systemic changes. What can I say: “Rok, once again – hats off!”. Here you can read and watch his interview on Kanal A.
Svet na kanalu A – Facebook page – Unlike Alenka, I decided to become a midwife when it was time to submit enrollment forms 🙂
Delo published an interview with a midwife from the Ljubljana maternity hospital: Birth is the most beautiful event and midwifery the most beautiful profession
This year, the delivery block in Slovenj Gradec underwent renovation. They offer “alternative” birthing rooms that provide more comfort and relaxation for women, as well as for midwives. In Novo mesto, an open day was organized for May 5th, where “future users” could also view the renovated delivery block. Just like women from Koroška, women from Novo mesto will also be able to give birth in water. More click. Sincere congratulations! DolenjskaNews.com, of course, boasted and prepared an article Water birth also available in Novo mesto maternity hospital . They also wrote on the website DolenjskiList.si where you can see more photos. They chose an excellent day for promotion. Visit to Novo mesto maternity hospital on Svet na kanalu A – Facebook page From the article:
- “Caring for women is not just our job; it’s part of our lives, our mission.”
- “Midwives strive to get to know parents in the early months of pregnancy.”
There was also writing about midwifery at the primary level, so I was happy to see the article on rtvslo.si “Midwifery should return to the primary level – because it yields the best results“.
I was certainly pleased with the sentence: “The goal and vision for the development of midwifery in Slovenia is for every woman to have access to continuous midwifery care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.” And I hope that we will soon move towards this goal and vision, and that it won’t just remain a statement. We know that merely setting goals and visions for progress is not enough. We also need ways to achieve them. They also mentioned further: “The golden standard of the European and World Midwives’ Associations: One woman – one midwife during childbirth.” It’s already progress that this is being written about and supported. But again, I would wish for a good plan on how to achieve this, rather than just a vision and goals. “They emphasized that they would like to re-establish Slovenian midwives at the primary level of healthcare, where through five examinations of healthy pregnant women, which Slovenian legislation already allows, they would encourage partnership between midwives, mothers, and families. It would also be beneficial to introduce midwives into referral clinics, where they would advise on healthy sexuality and contraception, alleviating menopausal problems, breast self-examination, and other important events in women’s lives. This would provide women with access to continuous care, which research shows yields the best outcomes – for women and their families, according to the Chamber – Association.” How much I wish for this myself. For myself, for women, for midwives, and for the Slovenian population.
Also on Bibaleze.si and maribor24.si they remembered us with the same article as on rtvslo.si.
Varaždin midwives held an open day. You can see how they celebrated here. The Croatian Association for the Promotion of Midwifery also organized a 3-day symposium “Midwifery – Challenges of the Profession.”
Foreign media wrote about 15 reasons why midwives are wonderful. We also came across a new film “A Midwife Like Me”, which shows the crucial role of midwives worldwide. The film demonstrates how educated and trained midwives can help women have the best experiences before, during, and after childbirth, and encourage them to make informed choices regarding normal pregnancy and birth.
Lamaze International called on women to thank their midwives. And this video brought tears to my eyes:
https://vimeo.com/126872914
And another article to read click, in English. I also recommend reading the fresh article in Slovenian AktualnoZdravstvo “Please, be compassionate during childbirth”, which was published two days before #IMD2017.
I surely missed some posts, but I captured the essence. I really like and support the statements from the Chamber – Association. I just hope they will soon become a reality. You can see how my colleague and I spent the day here.
I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all the women and families who, on this day, especially remembered me, who in one way or another was part of their birth stories.
Greetings from Rožnik from midwives from various Slovenian maternity hospitals, the section, and also representatives of the midwifery department. Source
And another video to cry to – midwives for midwives: <3
