Midwives Critical In A Crisis

Midwives are essential frontline health workers and critical in a crisis.

That’s the theme of the International Day of the Midwife 2025 – and a sentiment proven by midwives rising to the challenge of recent crises in Aotearoa.

New Zealand College of Midwives midwifery advisor Violet Clapham says babies do not stop being born in an emergency. The need for expert care for mothers and whānau before, during and after birth does not lessen.

Violet says to ensure robust and safe maternity system care in likely future events the College needs to be part of national emergency planning activities.

“We are experiencing an increased number of emergency events, particularly related to extreme weather. In recent events midwives have stepped up and worked together to provide essential care to women and babies in situations of power outages, road damage, flooding that cut off large areas, and communication disruption. Expectant mothers, their babies and whānau are at the centre of all midwives do and their expertise and care are needed even more in times of crisis.”

It is crucial midwives are involved at a strategic level in planning for disruptive events whether they be on a national or local level.

“Midwives are health professionals embedded in communities. Because they provide home-based care to families with new babies, they are uniquely aware of the challenges whānau are facing during a crisis. Midwives have invaluable knowledge to provide to contingency planning.”

Violet says as trusted first responders, midwives have ensured continuous access to essential healthcare for mothers and babies in Aotearoa through a wide range of crisis events - 24/7, 365 days a year. In addition to weather emergencies, midwives have provided critical front-line services through earthquakes, a pandemic, workforce shortages, and health system reforms.

With minimal resources, midwives can:

• Provide safe births, antenatal, and postnatal care,
• Provide contraception, comprehensive abortion care, and care for survivors of gender-based violence,
• Support breastfeeding, ensuring newborns receive safe, clean, and reliable nutrition,
• Educate and prepare communities with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe and healthy during emergencies.

“In challenging times, midwives are critical. That’s why we are acknowledging and celebrating their important role within our health system on International Day of the Midwife 2025.”

The College shares ways to play a part in reducing environmental impact

Violet says in acknowledgement of the realities of a changing climate and its impact on human health, the College has developed a climate change statement that shares ways midwives can play a part in reducing environmental impact.

“Midwives, as frontline health workers, play an essential role in public health and while midwifery is generally a low-technology and low environmental impact profession, as healthcare professionals they are well positioned to lead by example and influence change.”

“Midwives can advocate for and adopt sustainable practices to protect maternal and infant health in the face of climate challenge.”

Examples of how midwives can make a difference include discussing with women the option of using lower-impact items such as organic cotton or traditional muka ties for the umbilical cord, and the use of sustainable products such as reusable nappies and period underwear.

“It’s about having an informed discussion so people can make a choice if they feel it is appropriate for them.”

The College’s climate change statement acknowledges that in te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori emphasises the importance of balance within the natural environment. For Māori, the people of a place are related in personal terms to its mountains, land, and rivers, as well as the ecosystems and species present through whakapapa, says Violet.

“The climate crisis will affect the health of indigenous peoples due to a range of factors already recognised, which include relationships with the natural environment, socioeconomic deprivation, issues with access to quality healthcare and political marginalisation.”

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