Celebrating midwives on 5 May

Celebrating midwives on 5 May

Midwives, nurses and parents everywhere celebrate International Day of the Midwife tomorrow (5 May). This year’s theme is 'Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery'.

“Midwives around the world work hard every day to ensure women and newborns receive the quality care that they deserve,” says New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) professional nursing adviser, Kate Weston.

“Midwives are at the beginning of every child’s life journey and today we thank them for the skill and passion they bring to whānau and families throughout New Zealand and the world.”

“NZNO supports the work of midwives - in the community, in homes and in hospitals - as they lay the foundations for healthy futures.”

The face of women who give birth in New Zealand is changing – women are older when they decide to have babies and, as with the population in general, there are underlying health issues like diabetes, obesity and heart disease which can complicate pregnancy. This poses big challenges for the people caring for women and their babies.

“Currently NZNO is working with the Safe Staffing Healthy Workplaces Unit, midwife leaders and other midwifery groups to ensure midwives have the capacity to meet the needs of women and their babies.” Weston says.

ENDS

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