Midwives on frontlines of climate change battle
The International Day of the Midwife 2024 is being marked today
In the heart of every birth, there stands a guardian of life, a beacon of comfort and expertise – the midwife. Midwives play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe arrival of newborns into the world while providing invaluable support to women and their families. As we commemorate the International Day of the Midwife today, we shine a spotlight not only on the remarkable work of midwives worldwide but also on their crucial role in combating climate change.
At the forefront of maternal and newborn healthcare in Malta, stands the Malta Midwives Association (MMA), an organisation led by midwives and dedicated to championing their cause. Serving as the voice of midwifery, MMA tirelessly advocates for the interests of midwives while actively working to elevate their confidence, professional standards and knowledge. Committed to promoting excellence, innovation and leadership in the care of child-bearing women, newborns and their families, MMA embodies the spirit of compassionate and high-quality midwifery care.
This year, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) has chosen a theme that underscores the urgent need for action on climate change: ‘Midwives: A Vital Climate Solution’ (ICM, 2024). Climate change poses unprecedented challenges to global health, with rising temperatures and natural disasters threatening the lives of women and infants. In the face of this crisis, midwives emerge as frontline responders, offering sustainable and environmentally friendly healthcare solutions.
“Breastfeeding not only fosters the health of mothers and babies but also reduces waste and conserves resources
Midwives, often unrecognised as climate advocates, play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting ecological sustainability. One illustration of this is their support for breastfeeding, which not only fosters the health of mothers and babies but also reduces waste and conserves resources.
Models of continuity of care in midwifery may also prove to be beneficial in combating climate change. Continuity of midwifery care refers to the consistent and uninterrupted support provided by the same midwife or team of midwives throughout the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods, ensuring personalised and holistic care for expectant mothers and their babies.
By providing continuity of care, midwives can minimise the need for unnecessary travel to healthcare facilities internationally, thereby lowering the carbon footprint of healthcare services. A Cochrane review also revealed that continuity of care models are also likely to increase spontaneous vaginal births and reduce Caesarean sections and instrumental vaginal deliveries (Sandall al., 2024).
A study by Fenwick et al. (2018) also highlighted that midwives working within a continuity of care model exhibited lower rates of burnout, depression or anxiety. Hence, research emphasises the beneficial impact of continuity of care not only on environmental sustainability, but also on the health and well-being of mothers and midwives.
Midwives can also play a significant role in waste reduction by encouraging the adoption of biodegradable products like cotton wool, while discouraging the use of non-biodegradable materials such as wipes. Additionally, they can advocate for the preference of washable nappies over disposable ones, further contributing to environmental sustainability.
In times of climate-related disasters, midwives are indispensable first responders, delivering essential reproductive and maternal health services with speed and efficiency. Their ability to reach and care et for vulnerable populations underscores their role as vital links in healthcare delivery during crises.
As we celebrate the International Day of the Midwife, let us therefore recognise the invaluable contributions of midwives to healthcare and climate resilience. Let us advocate for greater investment, resources and autonomy for midwives, ensuring that continuity of midwifery care becomes a cornerstone of health system planning for climate adaptation.
Together, we can build a more sustainable future, where the health of our planet and our communities flourishes. Join us in honouring midwives and advocating for action towards a healthier planet. In celebrating midwives, we celebrate life itself, and in recognising their role in combating climate change, we take a step towards a brighter, greener future for generations to come.
Joanne Farrugia Imbroll is a midwife and PRO of the Malta Midwives Association.