Midwives walking to save lives

MEDIA RELEASE

May 5, 2011

Midwives walking to save lives

The Auckland Branch of the New Zealand College of Midwives are raising awareness of maternal health issues and celebrating International Midwives Day (May 5) today with a short walk through the Auckland Domain from Auckland City Hospital to Birthcare in Parnell.

The walk started at the entrance to the Domain at the Auckland City Hospital end, and finished with a breakfast at Birthcare for all the Midwives participating. The public were welcome to join the walk in support.

“We are fortunate in New Zealand that we have a world class maternity system with excellent outcomes for New Zealand women and their babies. However, globally more than 340,000 women die each year, with millions more suffering infection and disability, as a result of preventable maternal causes and the lack of a midwife to attend them,” says Birthcare clinical manager Juliette Wotton.

“The world needs midwives more than ever and we want to raise awareness of the fact that access to essential midwifery services reduces maternal and infant mortality and reduces the cycle of poverty in developing countries.”

The walk is the start of a journey that finishes at the International Confederation of Midwives Congress in Durban in June, a global gathering where 3000 midwives will share evidence of what works to reduce maternal mortality and improve the care and support available to mothers and newborns around the world.

“In Auckland, around 300 midwives in both the hospital and community support mothers and families every year. There are around 24,000 births in the region, 7,700 in Auckland City, 6,000 in North Shore and Waitakere; 8,200 in South Auckland; and around 1,000 homebirths each year," says Mrs Wotton.

In celebration of the role of midwives in the world, 5 km walks in cities and towns across all countries will also be held on Mothering Sunday (May 8).

Ends

© Scoop Media