Midwives Week is observed annually in Türkiye from April 21 to April 28, aiming to emphasize the importance of the midwifery profession and to recognize the contributions of midwives to healthcare services. During this week, the role of midwives in protecting the health of women, mothers and infants throughout prenatal, childbirth and postnatal periods is highlighted, along with the social significance of the profession.
Midwives (Anadolu Ajansı)
History and Scope
Midwifery is one of the oldest professions in human history, providing essential healthcare to women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Internationally, World Midwives Day is celebrated every year on May 5. This special day was proposed at a conference organized in the Netherlands in 1987 by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) to raise awareness of midwives’ contributions to human health and to make their work more visible.
The State of the World’s Midwifery Report (SoWMy), published in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), ICM and Novametrics, was released simultaneously with the International Midwives Day celebrations on May 5, 2021. The report included workforce data on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health from 194 countries and assessed the global development of the midwifery profession, its current challenges and future needs.
In Türkiye, Midwives Week is observed annually from April 21 to April 28. The week is commemorated with various activities to support the development of the midwifery profession at the national level and to remind society of the vital role midwives play in protecting maternal and infant health.
Definition of the Midwifery Profession
Midwifery is a professional health discipline that combines science and art and is based on ethical and humanitarian values. Historically responsible for managing childbirth, midwives today assume responsibilities across a broad range of healthcare services. According to the WHO, a midwife is a trained professional who provides necessary care and guidance during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, conducts normal deliveries independently and ensures the care of newborns.
The ICM defines a midwife as a professional healthcare worker who collaborates with women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, provides necessary support, care and counseling, conducts deliveries independently and cares for newborns and infants. This definition emphasizes that midwifery is not only focused on childbirth but also encompasses lifelong health counseling and education for women, families and society.
According to the Ministry of Health of Türkiye, a midwife is a healthcare professional who delivers maternal and child health services, provides healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, conducts deliveries, monitors children aged 0–6 and administers vaccinations and offers services to individuals, families and communities in areas such as family planning, hygiene, prevention of infectious diseases, first aid and public health education.
Duties and Responsibilities of Midwives
Midwives are responsible for diagnosing pregnancy, performing necessary examinations and monitoring the mother and infant throughout prenatal, childbirth and postnatal periods. They can conduct required checks and medical interventions during normal or high-risk deliveries. Additionally, they carry out tasks related to family planning, preventive healthcare services, maternal and infant care, public health education, and counseling.
Midwives play an essential role in hospitals, family health centers and health houses by implementing preventive healthcare services. They provide guidance to the community on nutrition, prevention of infectious diseases, health education and awareness-raising. In these capacities, midwives are recognized as educators, counselors, psychological support providers and fundamental components of the healthcare system.
Importance of Midwifery and Midwives Week in Türkiye
In Türkiye, midwifery is regarded as a cornerstone of the healthcare system. Midwives play a critical role in protecting the health of women, families and society and in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The strengthening of midwifery services in recent years has contributed significantly to the reduction of these rates. The active involvement of midwives in childbirth processes is a key factor in safeguarding maternal and newborn health. Midwives Week is celebrated with various activities to highlight the contributions of this professional group to the healthcare system, promote professional development and support the enhancement of midwifery services.
Midwives Week (Ankara İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü)
International Dimension
Globally, World Midwives Day, celebrated on May 5, is observed each year with a different theme. The 2021 theme, determined by the ICM, was “Together: From Evidence to Reality.” This theme emphasizes the application of scientific evidence in midwifery services, the strengthening of knowledge-based approaches and contributions to global health goals.
World Midwives Day not only celebrates the contributions of midwives to humanity but also aims to raise awareness for improving the health of women, mothers and children.
