On this year’s International Day of the Midwife, we spotlighted the voices of dedicated midwives, both men and women sharing in the profession dedicated to saving lives of moms and babies. Midwives bridge maternal and newborn care in our hospitals. In their words, they reflect on their experiences and the value midwives bring to their communities.

What does your day look like as a midwife?

(Pictured: Gebretinsae Alem Hagos)

My name is Gebretinsae Alem Hagos. I am head nurse in the labor and delivery ward at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Every day, I arrive at our busy maternity ward where we care for mothers recovering from childbirth or surgery, manage high-risk pregnancies, and attend to newborns just beginning their lives. On average, we often have over 40 mothers admitted at the same time. Clear communication between me, the mother, her family, and my fellow midwives is key to providing quality care.

A mother’s well-being and that of her newborn are inseparable, so I focus on both together:

• • Vital signs for mother and baby: I check blood temperature, pulse, and breathing. Also, for the baby too, as the leading cause of preventable deaths in small and sick newborns is low body temperature (hypothermia), respiratory distress, and infection.
  • Babies in distress: For newborns who are asphyxiated, I provide breathing assistance and transfer them to the newborn resuscitation and stabilization room in our ward. All procedures must be done in a very clean and germ-free way to prevent infections.
  • First skin-to-skin moments: We encourage immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), which is critical to the survival of our little patients and prevents hypothermia. Once stable, we proceed to provide routine care, which includes cord care, eye care, and administration of vitamin K. Additionally, we initiate and advocate for continuous KMC.
  • Mother-child bonding: For many women, the transition to motherhood often involves guidance and support on breastfeeding, recognizing danger signs for both mother and baby, and understanding the need for infection prevention and exploring family planning options.

How do you balance attending to multiple mothers, handling emergencies, and providing emotional support throughout the day?

(Pictured: Jafari Lutavi)

Jafari Lutavi, a senior midwife and mentor at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania, said that balancing multiple mothers, emergencies, and addressing emotional needs is not easy. It requires sharp clinical judgment, teamwork, and a calm demeanor. Emergencies are prioritized, but every woman still receives thoughtful, individualized, timely care. Collaboration with fellow midwives is key, especially in high-pressure moments. Compassion remains at the heart of the work. Even a few kind words or a steady hand can bring peace in the chaos.

How have any recent changes improved the way you deliver care?

(Pictured: Tamene Taye)

Tamene Taye, head midwife and mentor in the Labor and Delivery ward at Hawassa University Teaching and Referral Hospital in the Sidama region in Ethiopia, added that the introduction of radiant warmers has enabled real-time monitoring of newborn temperatures. Protocols such as the WHO Thermal Care Guidelines have standardized our approach to newborn care.

After deliveries, I ensure immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby, and utilize radiant warmers to keep the baby warm during resuscitation. Recently, we have implemented delayed cord clamping and the use of plastic wraps for preterm babies less than 32 weeks’ gestation and low-birth-weight babies when skin-to-skin is not possible, resulting in a 90% reduction in hypothermia rates.

Team dynamics have also evolved. Midwives now lead multidisciplinary health care teams to customize care plans. It is empowering to witness midwifery being recognized as a crucial component in reducing neonatal mortality.

As an educator in neonatal care, what has been the impact of how midwives care for mothers and babies?

(Pictured: Edith Gicheha)

Edith Gicheha, NEST360 Education Lead, shared, “In 2018, I remember watching a male midwife gently cradle a newborn whose first breath had nearly turned out to be their last. His calm expertise in resuscitating the baby reminded me that the ability to care knows no gender. As we address neonatal mortality, it is essential to not only welcome but also amplify the voices of male midwives. They possess the stories, skills, and strength necessary at this critical time.”

“As a midwife turned neonatal nurse, I am excited to see such amazing growth in midwifery practice. We have confident midwives and mentors like Alem, Jafari, and Tamene largely because effort has been put in by governments, their partners, and advocacy groups to map out where and how many midwives are needed. This has led to investment in increasing their numbers (more are still needed) and their level of competence and specialisation. To fast-track progress, I am convinced we now must shift to make sure every mother and their baby everywhere are cared for as a pair, whether well or sick.

We must close the loop and ensure midwives work closely with neonatal nurses and teams. We must remember that the mother is pregnant because she wants a baby – it’s a natural pair that should not be separated. I applaud my fellow midwives globally and insist that we must also invest in increasing the number and capability of neonatal nurses to ensure that improvements in care are not only achieved but also sustained over time.”