WHO: Midwifery Models Key to Reducing Maternal and Newborn Deaths

The World Health Organization recently underscored midwifery models of care as a pivotal strategy to enhance maternal and newborn health globally.

Released on 18 June 2025, the guidance calls for widespread adoption of midwife-centered care across the continuum: antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal stages emphasizing trust, communication, autonomy, and respect in childbirth care settings.

Modelling by WHO suggests that universal access to skilled midwives could prevent over 60% of global maternal and neonatal deaths i.e roughly 4.3 million lives saved annually by 2035 even modest increases in midwife coverage have significant impact. Midwifery-led approaches facilitate natural birthing processes such as informed choice, mobility during labor, varied birthing positions, and emotional support while reducing reliance on medically unnecessary interventions like caesarean sections, inductions, forceps, or episiotomies.

Building effective midwifery models requires robust education, regulation, and policy integration. The WHO guidance provides tools and case studies to assist policymakers and health system leaders. Key recommendations include incorporating high-quality midwifery training and licensing, allocating dedicated financing, and enabling midwives to practice autonomously within interdisciplinary care teams for seamless referrals when required. 

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 Among the various adaptable models are: Continuity of care: Women are supported by the same midwife or a small midwife team throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period. Midwife-led birth centres: These facilities cater primarily to low-risk births, offering integrated antenatal and postnatal services. Community-based approaches: Outreach through mobile units and local health centers expands access to midwifery-led services.

Regulated private practice: Private midwives operate within national health systems under proper oversight. The guidance targets persistently high maternal and newborn mortality especially in low-income or fragile settings and stagnating progress since 2016. One in three pregnant women still fail to receive the recommended minimum of four antenatal visits, and many deliver without a skilled provider present.

WHO officials, including Dr. Anshu Banerjee, stressed that investing in midwifery models improves health outcomes, optimizes resource use, and builds trusted partnerships between women and caregivers. Ulrika Rehnstrom Loi, midwifery lead at WHO, emphasized the role of well-trained midwives in enhancing women’s autonomy, dignity, and satisfaction during childbirth.

To support implementation, WHO launched a global webinar on 18 June, in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPA, and the International Confederation of Midwives. The event presented structured transition frameworks and shared practical lessons for countries at different stages of adopting midwifery-led systems.

Source: The Independent