Welcome Message
Welcome to an exciting learning experience! On January 07, 2025, we're bringing together experts in Midwifery and Neonatal Care for a day full of inspiration and groundbreaking insights. This is your opportunity to expand your knowledge, enhance your skills, and explore innovative solutions for improving maternal and newborn health. Whether you're a healthcare professional or a passionate advocate, you're in the right place to be part of the change. Let's transform the way we care for mothers and babies-together!
Welcome Note
Name: Evangelia Michailidou
Country: Cyprus
Affiliation: Apollonion Private Hospital of Lefkosia, Cyprus
Welcome Note:
Dear Participants
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to an exciting learning experience! On January 07, 2025, we're bringing together experts in Midwifery and Neonatal Care for a day full of inspiration and groundbreaking insights.
As a speaker, I am honored to be part of a webinar that Leading academics, researchers, and professionals from around the globe come together to exchange ideas and expertise about the most recent developments in this field.
This is your opportunity to expand your knowledge, enhance your skills, and explore innovative solutions for improving maternal and newborn health. Whether you're a healthcare professional or a passionate advocate, you're in the right place to be part of the change. Let's transform the way we care for mothers and babies-together!
The importance of these discussions are crucial because they have the power to drastically improve patient outcomes and change the course of medicine in the future.
I warmly invite You to join the sessions of this intriguing event, where we will have the chance to discuss ideas, encourage collaborative effort, and investigate innovative scientific and technological frontiers. Your involvement will help this conference successful and our field continue to progress.
I look forward to seeing You and sharing this valuable experience. My best wishes for continued success in your careers and your personal lives.
Yours sincerely,
Evangelia Michail Michailidou
Anesthesiologist-Intensivist
Apollonion Private Hospital of Lefkosia_Cyprus
evamichailidou@yahoo.gr
About Midwifery 2025
Mark your calendars for January 07, 2025, and join us for an impactful webinar on Midwifery and Neonatal Care: Advancing Practice for Better Outcomes. This comprehensive session is designed for midwives, obstetricians, neonatal nurses, and all professionals committed to improving maternal and new-born health. Through dynamic presentations and interactive discussions, we'll delve into key topics such as advancements in prenatal care, evidence-based labor and delivery techniques, neonatal resuscitation, and managing high-risk pregnancies. We'll also address critical issues like reducing maternal mortality, improving neonatal survival rates, and ensuring equity in access to care. Learn from industry leaders and gain actionable insights to enhance patient care, promote family-centered practices, and stay ahead in this evolving field. Whether you are looking to refine your clinical skills or expand your understanding of cutting-edge research, this event will provide invaluable knowledge and resources. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with peers and pioneers in midwifery and neonatal care!
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Sciconx is a leading conference organizer that helps you explore the future challenges of your industry and find innovative solutions. We connect you with the best speakers from around the world who have the expertise and experience to inspire and guide you. We also facilitate ideation sessions where you can design and validate new ideas with your end users. Whether you need a keynote, a workshop, or a panel discussion, we can help you find the right speaker for the right audience at the right time.
Mr Getachew Muluye Gedef
Dr Y Doruk Bilgili
Dr Mary Anbarasi Johnson
Evangelia Michailidou
Speaker Details
Mr Getachew Muluye Gedef
Getachew Muluye Gedef is a full-time lecturer, researcher, and licensed Clinical Midwifery specialist at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, a leading research-focused institution. He earned both a BSc (2016) and MSc (2020) in Midwifery with high distinction from Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Getachew has extensive expertise and a proven track record of excellence in teaching, research, and community service. He has a strong research portfolio, producing scholarly papers published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. His research interests focus on exploring and advancing cost-effective interventions to improve maternal and child health while promoting equity and excellence. He specializes in the continuum of maternal and perinatal care, cervical cancer prevention initiatives, and addressing violence against women, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations, including those in conflict-affected areas, rural communities, and women with low socioeconomic status. He aspires to become a leading expert in health practice research and aims to contribute significantly to academia, healthcare systems, and clinical practice.
Speaker Details
Dr Y Doruk Bilgili
Y Doruk Bilgili completed medical education at Demiroğlu Bilim University between 2009 and 2015. He also completed his residency in pediatric surgery at Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University between 2016 and 2022. He worked at Siverek State Hospital and Bandirma Training and Research Hospital between 2022 and 2024. He have been working as Head of Pediatric Surgery Department at Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University since April 2024 also doing research on circumcision, perioperative anxiety and appendicitis.
Speaker Details
Dr Mary Anbarasi Johnson
Mary Anbarasi Johnson is a distinguished professional currently serving as the Professor and Head of the Pediatric Nursing Department at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Her extensive career spans multiple countries, showcasing her expertise in clinical practice, academia, administration, and research.
Mary Anbarasi's professional journey includes a year as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), two years as an Assistant Professor in the USA, and a tenure as Assistant Director of Nursing in the Saudi Arabian Defense Sector. During her time at Saudi Kamis Mushayt Defense Hospital, she earned Green, Yellow, and Black Belt certifications in Lean Six Sigma through Academy Europe and gained invaluable insights into nursing administration under the guidance of Dr. Jessie Chetty.
At CMC Vellore, she has also held the role of Additional Deputy Nursing Superintendent, focusing on staff training, quality assurance, and NABH accreditation. She has contributed to prestigious national and international projects, serving as a Master Trainer for initiatives such as GFATM, IMNCI, ICMR Infection Control, Child Sexual Abuse Protection, and the Diabetic Educators Programme. She has also worked as an examiner, paper setter, and inspector for nursing programs across six universities.
Mary Anbarasi has been honored with numerous awards, including the President's Gold Medal for securing first place in her university's B.Sc. Nursing program and recognition by the International NGO "INSO." She is also a proud member of the SAS Society.
Speaker Details
Evangelia Michailidou
Evangelia Michail Michailidou is an Anesthesiologist-Intensivist at Apollonion Private Hospital of Lefkosia_Cyprus with 14 years’ experience in the field of anesthesiology & 7 years in intensive care, exemplifies unwavering dedication, unparalleled expertise, and exceptional leadership skills. As a full-time professional in her field and a remarkable Life and Leadership Coach, Evangelia sets new standards in patient care through her visionary guidance. Her coaching inspires individuals to unlock their potential and embrace their leadership qualities. She has participated in many seminars, research-educational projects, and conferences as a speaker and as a trainer and trainee about issues in medicine. Also, she has many publications in medical journals. She was a member of the National Team in the Youth and Women categories in FIN Swimming, winning 11 international medals in international competitions during the six years 1997-2002.
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Market Analysis
The midwifery and neonatal care market are experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing global prioritization of maternal and infant health. Projected to reach USD 11.2 billion for midwifery services and USD 10.93 billion for neonatal intensive care by 2032, with respective CAGRs of 5.4% and 6.9%, the sector's expansion is fueled by rising preterm births and demand for specialized neonatal care. Technological advancements, such as high-tech incubators and respiratory devices, are enhancing care quality and driving market growth. Government investments in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in developing countries, aim to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates by promoting midwifery services and NICU establishments. Public awareness campaigns are also boosting demand for maternal and infant health services. The neonatal care market encompasses critical products like incubators, phototherapy, and monitoring devices, primarily used in hospitals but increasingly in home care via telehealth solutions.
Latest News
Breastfeeding after COVID-19 vaccination is safe, with minimal changes to milk composition
2024-12-19 - 2024-12
In a recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition, a group of researchers investigated whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination induces compositional changes in human milk, including the presence of vaccine components.
Background
Human milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition, offering essential nutrients, immune cells, and immunomodulatory components that protect infants with immature immune systems. While it reduces infections, it can transmit certain pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Ebola virus.
Initial concerns about SARS-CoV-2 transmission via human milk disrupted breastfeeding practices despite later evidence showing no transmission and clear immune responses in milk after infection. However, limited data exist on how SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination impact milk composition.
About the study
Participants in this study were lactating individuals aged 18 years or older who either tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 or received a COVID-19 vaccine. Milk samples from vaccinated participants were included if they had no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were scheduled to receive the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccines.
Milk was self-collected at specific intervals before and after vaccination using clean containers, with collection procedures approved by the Mount Sinai Hospital Institutional Review Board (IRB). For participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection, milk samples were collected within seven days of a confirmed positive test, with collection procedures approved by the University of Idaho IRB.
Study results
Study participants ranged from 26 to 41 years old, with a mean age of 32 years, and were between less than one month to 30 months postpartum, with a mean of 8 months postpartum.
Milk samples were analysed using multi-omics approaches, including proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, after extraction via the MPLEx method. Significant compositional changes in milk proteins, metabolites, and lipids were identified in association with SARS-CoV-2 infection and compared to baseline control values. However, for COVID-19 vaccination, samples were compared with prevaccine milk from the same participants, as no preinfection samples were available for those with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Investigations into the presence of vaccine components in milk found no detectable synthetic lipids or adenoviral proteins in any samples, indicating that vaccine components do not enter human milk.
Conclusions
To summarize, there is a global consensus that the risk of contracting COVID-19 via human milk feeding is negligible, while the benefits of breastfeeding during and after infection or vaccination are substantial. Vaccination effects on lactating individuals are mild, with no evidence of harm to infants consuming milk from vaccinated mothers. While trace amounts of vaccine messenger Ribonucleic acid (
Women in labour turned away from maternity wards over staff shortages
2024-12-17 - 2024-12
Almost 1,000 women have been turned away from maternity units while in labour in recent months, alarming figures show.
Midwives said expectant mothers were being forced to endure "distressing" searches for a bed as hospitals battled short staffing.
Freedom of Information responses show 925 incidents in which women in suspected or confirmed labour were diverted to a different hospital from their chosen place of birth.
The data, which covers six months, come from 68 of approximately 120 trusts with maternity units, meaning the true figure is likely to be significantly higher.
Some women were sent vast distances in the search for a maternity unit that would take them.
One who was due to give birth at Watford General Hospital in Hertfordshire was sent to West Suffolk Hospital, some 83 miles away.
Three women due to give birth at Chesterfield Royal Hospital in Derbyshire faced lengthy journeys.
One ended up at Grimsby Hospital in Lincolnshire, a distance of 77 miles (124km), while another was sent to York Hospital, a journey of 70 miles (112km), and a third sent 60 miles (96km) to Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester.
The data gathered by Health Service Journal covers January to June this year.
Figures on diverts have not been collected on a national scale since 2016, when 382 diversions were reported over a year.
It follows a warning of a shortage of 2,500 midwives, which the Royal College of Midwives says is threatening safety.
The three organisations recording the highest number of diverts to different trusts were all in Greater Manchester and surrounding areas.
Bolton NHS foundation trust had 62 diversions, while Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care Foundation trust had 39, and Northern Care Alliance Foundation trust had 38.
Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for care across the area, said: "We recognise that for women and birthing people choosing a hospital to give birth in is a big decision, and when this changes, it can feel difficult and upsetting.
"Staff across the NHS will always ensure women get the best care and treatment they need, with diverts only used as a last resort on the grounds of safety."
Three-quarters of diverts to different NHS trusts were due to short staffing, or lack of sufficiently trained staff to cope with the cases incoming. Most trusts tried to divert to hospitals within their local area.
'Distressing change to birthing plan'
Fiona Gibb, the director of professional midwifery at Royal College of Midwives' (RCM), said: "Decisions to change a woman's admission plan, diverting her care or temporarily closing a maternity service is not one that is taken lightly but taken on the grounds of safety.
"The RCM supports and respects these often-difficult decisions made by midwife managers to ensure safety and effective maternity care for women and their babies.
"However, we understand this can be distressing for some women to have their plans changed."
She said trusts struggling
Maternity care in Ghana is meant to be free, but it's not - and many can't afford it
2024-12-10 - 2024-12
Globally, over a quarter of a million women a year die during pregnancy or childbirth. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 70% of these deaths.
In Ghana, the rate of maternal deaths is 263 per 100,000 births. Although this maternal mortality rate is much lower than the average for African countries (532 per 100,000 births), progress is being threatened by the financial difficulties mothers face accessing maternal healthcare services in the country.
Ghana's health system has offered free maternal healthcare since 2008 under the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme. But many families are still compelled to pay for these services.
As researchers in maternal health and health economics, we conducted a study in two regions of Ghana looking at the extra expenses mothers with newborn babies and their households face when seeking maternal healthcare.
We found that about 32% of households spent more than 10% of their total household expenditure on maternal healthcare services - including antenatal services, delivery and postnatal care.
This can strain household's budgets, affecting the ability to afford other basic needs including food, clothing and shelter. In some instances it may force mothers to forgo treatment due to an inability to pay.
Interviewing mothers
We surveyed 414 mothers in the Ashanti and Upper West regions of Ghana.
Previous research on out-of-pocket payments for maternal health services relied on household survey data.
We interviewed mothers directly as they left the hospital. This allowed us to get more accurate information about the actual out-of-pocket payments they were forced to make.
The Ashanti region is located in the southern half of Ghana and is the country's second most urbanised and prosperous region. The Ashanti region also has the highest active public national health insurance membership, of about 2.2 million members.
The Upper West region in the north-west is one of the least urbanised and poorest regions in Ghana. This region has the lowest active health insurance membership at 0.47 million.
We chose these two regions as they represent a diverse range of socioeconomic conditions. A good balance between a relatively prosperous urban area and a poor rural setting.
We collected the data through exit interviews at both public and private healthcare facilities. We wanted to understand the financial challenges faced by mothers across various settings and service providers.
Out-of-pocket payments
Our research found that 97% of mothers made an out-of-pocket payment for antenatal care; 65% paid for delivery services; and 22% paid for postnatal services. These expenses raise questions about the effectiveness of Ghana's free maternal healthcare policy.
These payments are often informal and linked to coping strategies implemented by health providers in response to delays and inadequate reimbursements, shortages of essential supplies and mother's insufficient knowledge of services cove
NSW maternity staffing changes spark concern among midwives, expectant mums
2024-12-13 - 2024-12
Pregnant nurse Teagan Beeby felt "pure fear" when she was told about midwifery roster cuts at her workplace.
She is 36 weeks pregnant and works at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, where she also intends to give birth to her first child.
"As a nurse, knowing the impact that [nurse to patient] ratio has on the care that you can give … [and] becoming a patient myself, it's quite a scary experience," Ms Beeby said.
"You want to go to your local hospital knowing you can be looked after and you're going to have somebody there to take care of you and your baby when you're in a very vulnerable state."
Nurses and Midwives Association (NMA) Port Macquarie branch president Mark Brennan said roster changes would lead to two rather than three midwives rostered per day shift at the hospital from mid-January.
But a Mid North Coast Local Health District spokesperson denied that claim and said the rosters were being updated to improve continuity of care in the maternity unit.
"There will be no reduction in midwifery staff as a result of the roster changes," a spokesperson said.
However, the ABC has been told by the union and midwives from Port Macquarie Base Hospital that the changes to midwife day shift rostering from three to two were communicated at a recent staff meeting.
Christmas transfers
NMA Port Macquarie said the changes to the roster at the hospital were coming ahead of a move that would see all high-risk maternity patients transferred to Port Macquarie from Kempsey District Hospital for 10 days from December 20.
The association said in January high-risk maternity patients would be transferred to Port Macquarie between 5pm on Thursdays and 7am on Mondays.
The health declined to confirm whether these arrangements were in place, but said a shortage of specialists had necessitated the transfers in January.
Kempsey mother Sarah Lipscombe met with hospital management about the distress caused by the weekend bypasses during her recent pregnancy.
"Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday as you approach the birth, not knowing where you will be or if you will be transferred with lights and sirens is a fear that I cannot put into words," she said.
'Breaking point'
Concerns have been raised on the NSW Central Coast that the critical shortage of maternity staff could see expectant mothers sent to Sydney or Newcastle.
In an extraordinary meeting this week Gosford Hospital's executive told the Staff Medical Council that its obstetrics and gynaecology services were at risk of going on bypass.
Women will be notified if they cannot be supported at Gosford Hospital.
NSW Health data shows Gosford Hospital is the second-busiest maternity hospital outside Sydney.
Central Coast mother Zoe Zoaretz, whose second child is due in February, is concerned how local women will be impacted.
"The last thing a person in labour needs to deal with is to be transported far from where they are supposed to be giving birth, and it is a scary prospect," she said.
NSW Health Minister
Maternity care praised by mums in survey
2024-12-16 - 2024-12
Health officials have welcomed news that East Lancashire's maternity services have been recognised as being amongst the best in the country.
A total of 120 NHS trusts took part in the 2024 Maternity Survey and 18,951 women who gave birth in February 2024 responded to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey.
East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT) was rated "better than expected" after 156 new mothers who gave birth in the delivery suite at Lancashire Women's and Newborn centre or midwifery-led units at Rossendale, Blackburn and Burnley took part.
Chief executive, Martin Hodgson, said the results were "positive for local parents and a testament to the hard working maternity team".
'Supported and heard'
The survey looked at all aspects of maternity services, including antenatal care, care during labor and birth and post-natal care.
Patients praised ELHT for allowing partners to stay with them as much as they wanted, taking their concerns seriously, and being able to get help from staff when needed.
Mr. Hodgson added: "There is a lot of hard work from the team across all our maternity settings to deliver these amazing results and I am so proud of everything they have achieved for local parents and children.
"To know people felt supported and heard is very positive indeed."
From birth through discharge: How western Sydney midwives are enhancing consistent patient care
2024-12-17 - 2024-12
Westmead Hospital recently celebrated the incredible efforts of its maternity team with a special event honouring the Comprehensive Assessment of the Well New born (CAWN) program.
The initiative, which ensures continuity of care for mothers and babies, has become a cornerstone of postnatal services at Westmead and across the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).
The event recognised the dedication of midwives and educators who have undergone extensive training to become CAWN assessors.
Samantha Cox, Clinical Midwifery Educator for Postnatal Care at Westmead Hospital, described the program's significance.
"CAWN was established to ensure midwives can provide consistent care from birth through discharge," she said.
"It's an essential skill for postnatal midwives, and the program equips them to perform thorough new born assessments."
"This improves patient care and enhances discharge processes."
In the past three months, the program has trained and certified 15 midwives, thanks to an intensive effort by the leadership team and experienced, qualified CAWN midwives to enhance the initiative.
The program also extends to Blacktown and Auburn hospitals, reflecting its success across the district.
During the celebration, the top 10 CAWN assessors over the past year were awarded certificates and prizes.
However, the event was not just about recognizing top performers.
"This day was about showing appreciation to all our staff, whether they've completed the training or are just starting."
A monthly newsletter, which includes a friendly competition for the top five CAWN assessors, has further motivated staff to participate in the program.
"We've created small ways to recognise our team's hard work, whether it's through gifts, prizes, or just a simple 'thank you."
"Every contribution they make is vital for our women and babies."
Michelle Simmons, a Clinical Midwifery Consultant and one of the driving forces behind the program's evolution, was also acknowledged during the event.
"Michelle has been instrumental in standardizing training and guidelines, which has been key to the program's success."
Study identifies ways to enhance midwife wellbeing
2024-12-22 - 2024-12
The most effective ways of enhancing midwife wellbeing have been identified in a study, researchers have said.
University of Bath (UOB) researchers have published a midwife-focused stress audit and a review of the most effective interventions. Rachel Arnold, from the UOB, said the study was commissioned following "incredibly high levels" of midwife turnover and burnout in the area.
Jessica Murray, a retention support midwife at the Royal United Hospitals Trust (RUH), said the
research provided "essential tools" to help support midwives struggling with stress.
The UOB's Stress, Anxiety, Resilience, and Thriving (Start) research group was behind the study, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research as a partnership between the university and the RUH.
The stress audit found the following had the biggest negative impacts on midwives:
Workplace demands, such as staff shortages and insufficient breaks
Change and communication, including on-call requirements
Lack of manager support
Community midwives were identified as one of the groups "particularly suffering" from workplace stress and anxiety, potentially due to operating in unfamiliar environments.
'Grow and develop'
Dr Rachel Arnold said the way the midwives "respond and cope" to the stressors can determine their impact.
"It's really important with any intervention that the onus isn't put entirely on the midwives themselves," she said.
"It needs to go hand-in-hand with an organisational intervention.... but the audit did identify ways midwives could better respond to and cope with those workplace stressors."
These included viewing them as challenges and opportunities "to grow and develop and master something" and drawing on sources of social support.
The second study was a "solution focused" review of the most effective interventions for midwives.
Individual interventions, such as mindfulness and yoga, and organisational interventions, such as midwifery care models and reflective groups, were studied.
Dr Moore said: "What we found was both organisational and individual level interventions were effective, but organisational level interventions might be more effective for improving midwives' health and wellbeing."
Ms Murray said the study would allow the RUH to help support its midwives.
"We hope this will help to educate our workforce around occupational stress in the workplace, and support them to not only remain but also thrive in their roles," she said.
Traditional midwifery returns in Gaza
2024-12-26 - 2024-12
On 7 October, Fadwa al-Hassani, 31, went into labor.
A year into Israel's genocide in Gaza, she and her family were trapped in their home in the al-Shaboura area of Rafah refugee camp, however, which was besieged by the Israeli military.
"It was just before midnight when I started feeling labor pains," Fadwa told The Electronic Intifada.
Communications were haphazard, however. Her husband, Yusuf, 34, tried to call an ambulance, but he couldn't get through to anyone.
Braving the streets was also risky.
"The occupation forces were targeting anyone or any vehicle moving inside the camp," Fadwa said.
She and her family - Yusuf and three children - had no choice but to stay in their home, unable to reach the hospital due to heavy bombardment in the area and the close proximity of Israeli tanks.
So they called on a local traditional midwife, Aysha, to help with a birth that would eventually go deep into the early morning hours.
The use of traditional methods of childbirth has become increasingly common in Gaza where, as far back as April, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) reported that most of the 183 women who on average give birth daily in Gaza lack access to trained midwives, doctors or healthcare facilities as a result of Israel's genocidal violence.
Hunger is also a critical issue, with 155,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women at "high risk" of malnutrition.
Anxiety and malnutrition are critical risk factors for pregnant women in Gaza, Nestor Owomuhangi, the United Nations Population Fund's representative for Palestine, said In October, with thousands of pregnant women on "the verge of famine" and "in famine-like conditions".
The traditional way
Aysha lived just minutes away from the al-Hassani home and it was to her that Fadwa's husband turned.
She came with nothing. She had already asked Yusuf to provide "a pair of scissors, a clothes peg, some salt, and a piece of cloth," Fadwa said.
Once baby Hamza started coming, Aysha got a firm grip of his head and pulled him "forcefully," in Fadwa's telling, from the womb. She used the scissors to cut the umbilical cord, salt on the resulting wound, the clothes peg to close the newborn's navel and wrapped Hamza in the cloth.
She asked Fadwa to keep changing the salt on Hamza's belly button in order for the cut to heal cleanly. These methods worked and Hamza was fine.
But, by four days later, Fadwa's womb and pelvic area were badly infected.
"I felt intense heat in my body. My husband called the ambulance again, but they said our area was dangerous and difficult to access."
Instead they advised Yusuf to bring Fadwa on foot by heading west, where an ambulance would wait. It was about a kilometer away, and Fadwa was in great pain, but they made it.
The ambulance took them to the Emirati Red Crescent hospital where she wound up spending three weeks due to an infection that had caused postpartum fever.
Midwifery Services and Group Prenatal Care Prove to Be the Right Fit for Expectant Couple
2024-12-16 - 2024-12
With something as personal and important as pregnancy, it's nice to have options. Some people prefer having an obstetrician gynecologist (OB/GYN) oversee their care. Others, like Cooley Dickinson Hospital patient Trang Nguyen, opt for midwifery services.
Certified nurse midwives are health care professionals who specialize in caring for people who have female bodies throughout the lifespan. In addition to providing routine obstetric and gynecological care, they counsel patients on birth control, test for sexually transmitted diseases, manage menopause treatment, and more.
"We try to talk to patients in a way that is personable and down to earth," said Sara Eggemeier, a certified nurse midwife at Cooley Dickinson OB/GYN & Midwifery. "Educating our patients, along with health promotion and prevention, are big parts of what we do. Some patients really find that appealing."
Ability to manage high-risk pregnancies
At their first prenatal appointment at Cooley Dickinson, around the 12-week mark, patients are given the choice of seeing certified nurse midwives or a physician for their prenatal and postpartum care. For Trang and her husband, Max Espinoza, the decision was easy.
"In meeting with a midwife during that visit, we felt we could ask questions and get answers in language we could understand," said Trang, who lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. "It seemed like a good fit."
Sara has worked at midwifery practices around the country. She noted that one feature that sets Cooley Dickinson OB/GYN & Midwifery apart is the collaborative team model. Among the benefits of this approach is that it allows the midwifery team to manage high-risk pregnancies. This comes as a surprise to some patients.
"Even though you may only see one midwife for your prenatal visits, the entire obstetrics team meets monthly to review the care of all high-risk patients," Sara said. "And if any complications arise during the pregnancy or childbirth, we can always bring in an OB/GYN to assist."
One-on-one vs. group prenatal care
After their first few visits with midwives, patients must make another decision. They can continue to have one-on-one visits with the midwifery team. Or they can enter group prenatal care.
Group prenatal care consists of seven biweekly sessions during the second half of pregnancy. Health education coordinator Grace Nowakoski co-leads the classes with one of the midwives. Each cohort typically consists of 8 to 12 expectant parents-all due within six weeks of one another-and co-parents.
Sara described the sessions as "casual, supportive, and communal." In the first hour, expectant parents see the midwife for exams behind a screen while the other participants socialize. The second hour is devoted to topics such as common aches and pains, nutrition, labor and delivery, and postpartum planning and support.
We Saw Women Die at Home': Taliban's Midwife Ban Threatens Rural Afghan Healthcare
2024-12-30 - 2025-01
I never wanted to study midwifery," a 20-year-old woman from Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar told me. "But after the university ban, I couldn't continue to study computer science - the major which was my dream and what I had worked so hard for."
December 20 marked the second anniversary of the Taliban's ban on women attending university in Afghanistan. While some women like the student from Nangarhar turned to midwifery due to healthcare shortages in their provinces, in early December the Taliban banned Afghan women from pursuing even this path.
I interviewed 10 Afghan women across the country for this story.
For obvious security reasons, their names remain anonymous.
"I am so miserable to be born in Afghanistan and live under the Taliban's regime," a 19-year-old woman told me. "I was in grade 10 when the Taliban banned secondary schools for us. After two years, I was eligible to take the university entrance exam even though I hadn't completed grade twelve. But the Taliban banned us from sitting for the entrance exam too," she said. "Despite having a phobia of blood, I decided to study midwifery - but now that is also banned."
This ban not only delivers another blow to an already restricted education system, it also severely impacts Afghanistan's healthcare system, which stands on the verge of collapse.
"This decision will limit women and girls' already precarious access to healthcare, as male medical staff are prohibited from treating women unless a male relative is present," said Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Afghanistan already has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world. Women's presence in the health sector is crucial."
The situation in rural areas is particularly dire. A woman from a remote village described their local healthcare: "There is only one female so-called doctor in the clinic in our neighbourhood. She does all kinds of treatments, including midwifery, but it is extremely limited. She gives only one type of medicine to treat all kinds of illnesses."
Another woman from the Salang district shared that the nearest clinic is 30 kilometres away, with only two female doctors. "I have witnessed several cases where families don't take their sisters, daughters, and female relatives to the clinic because of the distance and difficulties, especially when a female doctor isn't available," she said. "I saw pregnant women die at home or on their way to the clinic."
While I had read extensively about Afghanistan's healthcare system shortages, hearing these first-hand accounts from women across the country revealed an almost unbelievable reality. In early December, UNICEF reported that Afghanistan had one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates - 638 mothers dying for every 100,000 births - exacerbated by acute shortages of qualified birth attendants.
Last week, I spoke with Doctor Soroush, an obstetrician with thirteen years of experience, about
Call the Midwife star teases "much more settled" season for the Turners
2024-12-28 - 2025-01
Season 13 of Call the Midwife proved to be especially challenging for the Turners.Their solid family unit was threatened when May's biological mother from Hong Kong became concerned about her child's welfare after she nearly drowned during a day out at the beach.
"I thought my daughter would be more safe with them, not less," said Miss Tang, and for a period of time there was a possibility that May could be "moved to an environment in which her mother has more confidence".
But fortunately, Shelagh and Patrick Turner passed the formal review with flying colours, and Miss Tang was also satisfied that May was in good hands.
"It was traumatic," said Stephen McGann reflecting on that storyline, which has now reached its "conclusion".
McGann also said that now the actors playing their children are "a little bit older... we can get more done with them dramatically".
"So it's been really lovely for Laura [Main, who plays his wife Shelagh] and me this year," he said.
But of course there will still be "ups and downs", such is the reality of being a parent.
"In a couple of years, Alice [Brown, who plays Angela Turner] will be 13 and giving me all sorts, giving me the silent treatment [laughs]."
But it won't be quite so rosy for Joyce, who is set to face racism from the very people she's assigned to look after as a midwife.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press about how her character copes in the face of that trauma, Renee Bailey said: "I feel like it's a lot of her balancing all the cases that she deals with, but also the intersections of being a Black woman from the Caribbean in this country, where she's not always going to be wanted, but still having to be a professional and having to paint on a smile and still go to work every day.
"We all do that in different ways in the workplace anyway, but that is a big thing for her this season as well... the mask that you have to wear as a health professional when you're experiencing or witnessing people experiencing things that you might have experienced yourself... and having to just push it all down and still show up."
Bailey went on to say that because Joyce has "sacrificed so much to be here", such as escaping an abusive marriage, "she's not prepared to lose it", even when confronted by racist attitudes.
"The strength in that, her being like, 'I fought for this and I deserve to be here' - that kind of keeps her together."
New WHO collaborating centre in Ireland to focus on the regulation and continuing professional development of the nursing and midwifery workforces
2024-12-24 - 2025-01
The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has been designated a new WHO collaborating centre. The institution joins more than 800 such centres in over 80 countries across the world. WHO collaborating centres carry out activities in support of WHO's programmes in areas such as nursing and midwifery, occupational health, communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, chronic diseases, and health technologies.
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Regulation and Continuing Professional Development will provide strategic advice to WHO/Europe, which will allow the Organization to support Member States in strengthening their nursing and midwifery workforces and health systems.
Ms Maggie Langins, Nursing and Midwifery Policy Adviser, explained, "In addition to ensuring patient safety and ethical practice, regulation can generate added value within health systems, including professional education, equitable distribution, workforce planning and the financial costs associated with health services. Support to Member States to make this happens is still very much needed in our region."
Speaking at the launch of the Centre, Dean of the Faculty Dr Mary Boyd commented, "The Collaborating Centre is the first nursing or midwifery collaborating centre in Ireland and a crowning point for the Faculty, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The new Centre provides the infrastructure to integrate health, nursing and midwifery policy with research - supporting workforce planning and continuous professional development while bolstering professional regulation and facilitating professional leadership."
Echoing these sentiments, Professor Michael Shannon, Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre at RCSI, stated, "The designation enables us to contribute meaningfully to global health priorities, foster collaborative networks, and support the development of nurses and midwives prepared to lead, innovate and deliver excellence in patient care worldwide."
Dr Tomas Zapata, WHO/Europe's Health Workforce and Service Delivery Team Lead, commented, "We are proud to be partnering with the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery on this important new initiative and to build on the relationship we have developed through its Global Innovation and Leadership Academy and its designation as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Regulation and Continuing Professional Development earlier in the year."
He added, "The technical advice the Collaborating Centre will provide to WHO will be invaluable in our support to countries and in developing stronger and more sustainable nursing and midwifery workforces, not just in Ireland but throughout the WHO European Region."
Neonatal Ventilator Market Size, Trends, Competition Landscape, Detailed Research Report 2025-35
2025-01-02 - 2025-01
2025 - Pristine Market Insights, a leading market research firm, announced the release of its latest and comprehensive market research report on Neonatal Ventilator Market. The report spans over 500 pages and delivers 10-year market forecast in US dollars (or custom currencies upon request). It provides in-depth analysis of market dynamics (drivers, opportunities, restraints), PESTLE insights, latest industry trends, and demand factors. The report includes segmented market value, share (%), compound annual growth rate (CAGR), and year-on-year growth projections, along with regional forecasts for the next decade. Key market insights for leading countries are covered & detailed profiles of the top 20+ companies are included, with additional profiles available upon request.
The neonatal ventilator market is experiencing growth as a result of the rising demand for advanced respiratory care solutions for premature and critically ill new-borns. Neonatal ventilators are critical in providing mechanical ventilation support for new-borns with respiratory distress syndrome or other health conditions affecting their breathing. As healthcare facilities continue to adopt advanced neonatal care technologies, the demand for neonatal ventilators has surged. The increasing awareness regarding the need for quality healthcare infrastructure and growing government investments in healthcare systems are key factors driving market expansion globally.
The neonatal ventilator market is driven by several factors, including the increasing incidence of preterm births and respiratory disorders among new-borns. Advances in neonatal care technologies, such as high-frequency ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, and portable ventilators, have contributed to the market's growth. Additionally, the rising awareness among healthcare professionals and parents about the importance of early respiratory care for new-borns further fuels demand. Increasing government funding for neonatal care infrastructure and the expansion of healthcare facilities, particularly in emerging economies, also play a pivotal role in driving the neonatal ventilator market forward.
One of the prominent trends in the neonatal ventilator market is the growing adoption of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) techniques. These methods, which reduce the need for invasive procedures, are gaining popularity due to their ability to provide effective respiratory support while minimizing the risk of complications such as infections. NIV systems, including nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), are becoming increasingly common in neonatal care settings. The integration of advanced technologies like cloud connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI) into neonatal ventilators is also revolutionizing the market. These innovations allow for remote monitoring, real-time data analysis, and predictive analytics to improve patient outcomes and optimize ventilation setting
Midwife learns colleague of six years delivered her
2025-01-03 - 2025-01
Two midwives worked together for six years before realising one delivered the other into the world.
Their connection came to light when Katie Wintle, 29, was shown a picture of herself as a baby and recognised the woman holding her as now-retired colleague Sharon Cooling.
While she was pregnant with her son Luca, she and her family were looking at photos of the day she was born at Singleton Hospital in 1995 and spotted the familiar face.
"Straight away I knew it was Sharon," she said.
Her mum, Sally, had sent Ms Cooling a copy of the image after her daughter was born.
"As soon as I saw the photograph, I instantly recognised it and pulled out my copy," Ms Cooling said.
"I have a box of things that women have given to me over years."
She continued: "I remember the day Katie was born, the room we were in and her parents, really clearly.
"I was very surprised to learn this after working together for so long. It's not every day that you come across someone who pursued the same career as you, and that you were there when they were born."
Ms Cooling recently left Swansea Bay health board after 48 years. She started in the NHS aged 17 in 1975 and worked with Ms Wintle on the labour ward from 2016.
"I had worked with Sharon for so long, learning so much from her all the while, we didn't know our special past," said Ms Wintle, a midwife sonographer.
"If you wanted to know something or needed help on the ward, she was the person to go to.
"Now we've found this out, it means so much to both of us."
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