It’s difficult to find the words to describe the experience of spending two weeks with midwives from around the world influencing global policy through the council meeting; and at congress contributing to discussions, supporting and listening to the experience of midwives from Countries where the role of a midwife is barely recognised.
The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) is a global professional organisation and non-governmental organisation (NGO) that supports, represents and works to strengthen professional associations of midwives throughout the world to achieve common goals in the care of mothers and newborn infants. ICM advocates for the interests of more than one million midwives worldwide across 119 countries.
One of the plenary sessions was particularly memorable, about the implications of climate change and natural disasters. It was acknowledged that natural disasters are having a major global impact on the ability of midwives to be able to practice safely and effectively. Humanitarian needs being so great and growing with two thirds of maternal deaths globally due to humanitarian fragility.
Eco-anxiety was discussed relating to post-traumatic stress following natural disasters. It was acknowledged that the smallest acts of kindness and compassion makes a huge difference to women and families. The true value and importance of the midwifery role comes to the fore in countries at conflict. Midwives are often called on to support logistical planning at times of natural disaster and conflict emergencies; their knowledge of community health requirements are found to be essential. In saying this, it also must be acknowledged that midwives themselves feel the strain and impact on their own families as a result of disaster and communities often seek to blame midwives for tragedies that are outside their control.
The impact of war and violence was heard from a midwife from Ukraine. Vira told us how on the day of the Russian invasion, bombs started to fall and the midwives and Doctors had to hastily transfer all women and babies from the maternity unit to underground shelters, they had no running water and it was very cold (-12 degrees C). They had to light open fires to generate heat and to boil water. There were only seven midwives and two doctors who were able to get to the shelter. Babies continued to be born and each baby’s cry was louder than the shelling outside. Vira explained that this was the most powerful noise for everyone in that shelter; the noise of life and hope. In the 42 days they were in the shelter they delivered 136 babies including two sets of triplets and three sets of twins.
Dr Natalia Karem from UNFPA was clear in her message, ‘Peace is a pre-condition of doing the work of a midwife; as women’s bodies often become the battle ground’.
I realised how much we have in the UK, how much we should recognise that, and the take away message: that kindness and compassion is what is needed.
