FIGO in conversation with International Confederation of Midwives on ending preventable maternal deaths from postpartum haemorrhage

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Join two global champions in maternal health – Professor Kihara Anne-Beatrice, President of FIGO, and Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwife at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) – as they highlight the important role of strengthened collaboration between OBGYNs and midwives in ending preventable maternal deaths from postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). 

Speaking candidly over a “cup of coffee,” these two leaders discuss the escalating challenges of PPH, the leading cause of maternal mortality globally and the urgent need for collaborative maternity care. Their honest and inspiring exchange emphasises the critical role of midwives in frontline care and the importance of teamwork, respect and evidence-based practices between the two professions. 

Together, we are stronger. Midwives and obstetricians working side-by-side is the only way to ensure safer births and healthier outcomes.

 –Prof Dunkley-Bent, ICM Chief Midwife

 

We’ve worked together for centuries. Now, we must do so intentionally – grounded in evidence, mutual respect and shared purpose.

–Prof Kihara, FIGO President

Their conversation touches on key areas including:  

  • Celebrating the FIGO-ICM partnership: a growing collaboration between FIGO and ICM driving global progress through joint advocacy, research and clinical guidance.
  • Addressing maternal and neonatal mortality: reducing deaths from PPH requires midwives and obstetricians to work together in complementary, frontline roles.
  • Respectful, collaborative, evidence-based care: mutual respect and teamwork enable better outcomes, with midwives leading low-risk care and OBGYNs managing complications.
  • Health system challenges and enabling environments: investment in infrastructure, tools and supportive work environments is critical to empowering OBGYNs and midwives.
  • Continuing professional development (CPD): universal access to ongoing education and training is essential to ensure care reflects current evidence and best practices.
  • Vision for the future: the FIGO-ICM partnership seeks to transform maternal health systems through unity, innovation and leadership 

FIGO and ICM are proud collaborators on the WHO’s PPH Roadmap, which seeks to address key PPH priorities and fast-track progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets. Prof Kihara and Prof Dunkley-Bent's conversation demonstrates the urgent need to champion the PPH Roadmap as two professions – standing side-by-side.  

We cannot accept that where a woman is born determines whether she lives or dies during childbirth 

 –Prof Dunkley-Bent, ICM Chief Midwife

To quote an African proverb “A boat does not go forward if each one of us is rowing in our own way. Only by working together can we truly succeed.

–Prof Kihara, FIGO President

This is more than a “coffee chat” – it’s a call to action for OBGYNs and midwives to strengthen their alliance and accelerate progress towards ending preventable maternal deaths from PPH. 

Watch now and be inspired by a partnership that’s changing the future of maternal health:

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Prof Kihara and Prof Dunkley-Bent look forward to continuing this conversation on PPH during the Presidential Session at this year’s XXV FIGO World Congress, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa this October. Learn more here.