International Midwife's Day (05/05)

Today, people celebrate their professional holiday, thanks to whose caring hands many of us were born. For more than two decades in a row, May 5 has been considered International Day of the Midwife.

The idea of the holiday was proposed by the International Midwives Association at a conference in the Netherlands in 1987. This day acquired the status of an official holiday only in 1992. Today it is celebrated in more than 50 countries.

The main purpose of the — holiday is to inform the population about the importance of the work of midwives. The importance of this profession is difficult to overestimate, because the life and health of mother and child very often depend on the midwife, on her experience, knowledge and skills.

Midwives help women become mothers, accompanying them from the moment they enter the maternity hospital until they are officially discharged. They draw up documents, stay next to the expectant mother before, after and directly during childbirth, and provide the women in labor with the necessary medical care and moral support.

In addition to high professionalism, midwives must also have such qualities as responsibility, kindness, responsiveness and compassion. Briefly and succinctly, their role is outlined in the quatrain:

«And there is no more beautiful profession On all five continents, When all humanity lies The midwife is in her arms!».

International Midwife Day — is a good reason for every representative of this profession to meet colleagues, make new connections and expand their knowledge.

As part of the events held around the world on this day, midwives organize street processions, set up tents in public places, where they provide free consultations and provide everyone with information regarding their activities. They also organize meetings, seminars and conferences, share experiences and talk about new achievements in their industry, reward individual representatives of the profession or entire teams of midwives.

In countries where midwifery is well developed, money is raised to help colleagues abroad (for example, funds are used to buy bicycles for midwives working in remote areas, to sponsor visits to events important to midwives, and so on). Some midwives simply get together to chat in an informal setting and relax with colleagues.



• Infographics – poster «5 May — International Midwife Day»

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