The Role of Midwives in Maternal Health

Abstract

This paper focuses on how midwives are important in the improvement of maternal health as they support and guide women throughout the maternity journey. Midwives as primary antenatal care education givers and deliver labour various support services and including postnatal care thus maintaining the physical, psychological and social health of mothers and newborns. They follow a patient-centered approach to meet the individual needs of every patient and help to gain the trust of the maternity care process. Thus, both midwives, traditional who knowledge possess and skills and understand the principles of modern healthcare, contribute to the decrease of maternal and neonatal mortality rates as well as manage pregnancy complications and support the natural and minimalistic approach to childbirth. Not only do they enhance health results, but their participation minimizes the stress that is placed on the healthcare systems and decreases the rates of medically unnecessary interventions. Midwives are also the women’s health advocates and this is more so in areas with limited access to health care services. Through education, community mobilization and cultural appropriateness they fill the gaps that exist in the health care systems. This position makes it easier for them to come up with solutions to the world’s maternal and neonatal health problems hence their role in the efforts being made to have sustainable improvements in the maternal and neonatal health.【1】