International Day of the Midwife: Catching Babies and Saving the Day Since Forever
Every year on May 5th, the world celebrates International Day of the Midwife—a date set aside to appreciate the absolute powerhouses who bring new life into the world and somehow manage to stay calm, kind, and capable while doing it. Spoiler: midwives are superheroes, and this is their day to shine.
What’s It All About?
Started in 1992 by the International Confederation of Midwives, this day is all about recognising the essential role midwives play in healthcare systems across the globe. Whether it’s at a bustling hospital, a rural clinic, or right in someone’s living room, midwives provide expert care, reassurance, and the occasional “breathe, love” when things get intense.
The theme changes each year, often focusing on access to care, education, or improving working conditions for midwives—but the heart of it remains the same: appreciation, awareness, and advocacy.
What Do Midwives Actually Do?
Short answer: everything.
Longer answer: Midwives offer expert care through pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. They:
- Monitor the health of mum and baby
- Provide emotional support (read: soothe panic like pros)
- Offer pain relief options
- Deliver babies with skill and grace
- Educate parents and support families
And they do all of that while staying calm under pressure, clocking 12-hour shifts, and occasionally catching babies faster than you can say, “It’s time!”
How the Day is Celebrated
Around the world, International Day of the Midwife is marked with conferences, rallies, thank-you events, award ceremonies, and social media shout-outs. Hospitals may host appreciation breakfasts (with actual hot coffee—luxury), while local communities raise awareness about maternal health and midwifery services.
There’s also a huge push for education—spotlighting the need for more trained midwives, especially in under-resourced areas where maternal and infant mortality is still a serious issue.
Midwifery in the UK: Proud and Powerful
The UK has a long and proud midwifery tradition. Whether it’s an NHS midwife at a major hospital or a community midwife supporting home births, the care is personal, professional, and pretty phenomenal.
Midwives here are also highly trained—usually holding a degree in midwifery—and are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. They’re not just baby-deliverers; they’re educators, advocates, and essential pillars of maternal healthcare.
Final Thoughts: Midwives Deserve the Hype
Let’s be real—midwives don’t just deliver babies. They deliver strength, support, and peace of mind. They’re there for the tears, the triumphs, the messy bits, and the magic. On International Day of the Midwife, take a moment to appreciate the people who’ve literally been helping humans into the world since… well, forever.