The International Day of the Midwife - 5 May 2006
"The world needs midwives, now more than ever.
The world recognises that without you, there can be no safe motherhood."
This is the card that we presented to the midwives at their local meeting, with photos of those who came along inside the card. See the photos below.
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| Photo: Gemma Beattie with Caleb Hutchins born 02.04.05 — midwife Bridget Kerkin | Photo: Spence & Rosie Crocker with Niamh Abigail born 06.09.05 — midwives Liz Brunton and Kath Boyle (then student) | Photo: Rachel Cassey with Bruno born 25.04.05 — midwife Laura Paterson |
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| Photo: Katie Musk with Inde Frank born 22.02.05 — midwife Zoe Gardiner | Photo: Sarah Glensor Best with Lucy & Sophie born 16.04.04 and 07.12.05 — midwives Liz Brunton, Joan Skinner & Sue Lennox | Photo: Kathy Bartlett with Isis Jasmine born 15.03.05 — midwife Judi Slankard |
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| Photo: Willow Madill (midwifery student) with Zoe Rye born to Vida 03.11.04 - midwives Suzanne Miller & Helen Cussins | Photo: William Wilson & Hannah Gower with Leonid Wilson born 18.04.04 — midwives Laura Paterson & Helen Cussins | Photo: Anahera Gildea with Otis Brown born 16.09.04 — midwife Kim Birse |
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| Photo: Keith McLeod, Luisa Beltran-Castillon with Lucas and Malis born 02.02.04 and 20.04.06 — midwife Helen Cussins | Photo: Sarah Mahy with Frank Cross born 16.05.05 — midwife Bridget Kerkin | Photo: Andrea Sarty with Freya and Acadia born 04.11.00 & 28.11.03 — midwives Karen Daniells, Chris Maessen, Robyn Maude, Liz Snooks, Aisling Dixon & Erika |
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| Photo: Midwives Joan Skinner and Helen Cussins with some of their many offspring! |
The ICM is a Confederation of 87 midwifery associations from 73 countries. It was founded in 1919. Its mission is to "advance world-wide the aims and aspirations of midwives in the attainment of improved outcomes for women in their childbearing years, their newborn and their families wherever they reside". The ICM launched the "International Day of the Midwife" (IDM) initiative in 1992.
Midwives around the world celebrate this day on May 5 each year. The aim of the day is to celebrate midwifery and to bring awareness of the importance of midwives' work to as many people as possible. This is achieved in many different ways according to what works best in each country.
Photo: Vida & Graham Rye with their daughter Zoe, who was born in water, at home in Wellington, NZ with the support of 2 wonderful homebirth midwives.
As women who have experienced wonderful midwifery support for the birth/s of our children, and also given the bad press that our midwives in New Zealand have experienced over recent months, we decided that we would like to celebrate the day with the midwives in Wellington.
So, in true newish-mother-last-minute style, we have arranged a get-together of women who have been supported by midwives (and their midwives if they are available) to have a drink and a chat on:
We will be celebrating the unique midwifery profession that we are so fortunate to have available in this country and that we are so close to losing, if we don't buck up our ideas and support it! If you would like to join in with our celebration of midwifery, please come along, or contact me for more info.