‘Prescribe a midwife’ and improve the health of pregnant women and their babies

Media release 4 May 2012 for International Day of the Midwife

A joint statement by Frances Day-Stirk, President of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and Prof. Gamal I. Serour, President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) on the occasion of the 20th International Day of the Midwife.

‘Prescribe a midwife’ and improve the health of pregnant women and their babies

On this the International Day of the Midwife (5 May 2012), FIGO and ICM celebrate the partnership of midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists, working with different professional strengths, roles and competencies in maternal and newborn health. The health of pregnant women and their babies lies in the hands of midwives and obstetricians, and ‘prescribing a midwife’ is an effective way for obstetricians to ensure better care for women and their babies.

Every woman deserves the care of a qualified competent midwife and referral to an obstetrician when needed. This is a fundamental human right. We join health workers all over the world in celebrating and commending the important work of midwives everywhere. Not only are they an essential part of an effective healthcare system, they promote good health in societies as a whole.

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Jennifer Crago
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