Southern DHB celebrating International Midwives Day

Thursday 4 May 2017

Southern DHB celebrating International Midwives Day

Tomorrow is International Midwives Day and Southern DHB is recognising and celebrating the work of its midwivesfor their important contribution to the health and well-being of mothers and babies at every point of maternity care.

The day provides an opportunity for women and midwives all over the world to unite and focus the world’s attention on the work of midwives. The theme this year is "Midwives, Mothers and Families: Partners for Life!" Midwives everywhere understand that by working in partnership with women and their families they can support them to make better decisions about what they need to have a safe and fulfilling birth.

Midwives in Southern DHB provide care to women and their babies pre, during and post birthing in a variety of settings whether at home, at a birthing unit or in the maternity wings of its hospitals.

Zena Kumar from Oamaru gave birth to her fifth child - but first boy, Christopher, at Dunedin Hospital yesterday and said that the midwives were wonderful. “The midwives were fantastic, they kept me calm, and I’m really grateful for their support. I cannot thank them enough.”

Queen Mary midwife Louise Bell has been a midwife for 21 years and facilitated hundreds of births. “No two days are the same. You have amazing moments and then extremely challenging ones, and we support each other through all of it.”

“Being a midwife is more than just a job for us – you have to have empathy, kindness and help women find their voice as mothers. You have to have a big heart to bring life into this world, and it’s wonderful this day acknowledges all that midwives do.”

Each year approximately 1800 babies are born in Dunedin Hospital and approximately 1200 are born each year in Southland Hospital, with a further 500 born at home or in primary maternity units. Every single birth has a midwife involved in caring for the mother and her baby.

“Midwives do a fantastic job. I commend them for their ongoing commitment to the health of women and their babies in this community. International Midwives Day ensures that their work is recognised and celebrated,” said Southern DHB Midwifery Director, Jenny Humphries.

Celebrations are taking place across the District including a celebratory afternoon tea for Midwifes at Dunedin Hospital, and at Southland Hospital, a celebration lunch will take place at Susie Q.

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