Midwives and their supporters worldwide are walking to raise awareness and funds to help tackle global inequalities in maternal and newborn health.
 
And at 10am on May 5 Wanganui midwives will lead mothers and families in a walk from Majestic Square over the City Bridge to Dublin Street Bridge and back to Majestic Square for cake & photos. If wet, celebrations will take place at the Women’s Network Centre, St Hill Street.
 
The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) says New Zealand is fortunate in having a world class maternity system with excellent outcomes for New Zealand women and their babies. However, globally more than 340,000 womendie each year, with millions more suffering infection and disability as a result of preventablematernal causes and the lack of a midwife to attend them.
 
The ICM says because the world needs midwives more than ever it’s important to publicise that access to essential midwifery services reduces maternal and infant mortality, thus helping to reduce the cycle of poverty in developing countries.
 
The May 5 walk is the start of a journey that finishes at the International Confederation of Midwives Congress in Durban in June - a global gathering where 3000 midwives will share evidence of what works to reduce maternal mortality and improve the care and support available to mothers and newborns around the world.
 
From 19 - 23 June four members of the New Zealand College of Midwives, including CEO Karen Guilliland, will attend the ICM Council meeting to discuss and look for solutions to the unacceptable maternal mortality figures in the resource poor world.
 
For more information contact: Robyn McDougal, Wanganui Chairperson for the New Zealand College of Midwives, robynmcdou@clear.net.nz or 0274848827.
 
Additional information pertaining to midwives in New Zealand:

• More than 99.9% of women in New Zealand have a midwife present at the birth of their child.
• There were almost 64,000 babies born in New Zealand in 2010.
• The average age to become a first-time mother is 30.
• The NZ College of Midwives’ membership grows every year and today NZCOM represents 90% of practicing midwives.
• There are almost 3000 midwives at present practicing in New Zealand, up from 2500 in 2009.
• Midwives are highly educated health professionals with strong and effective accountability frameworks supporting practice.

With the support, information and knowledge midwives share with women and their families, a new born baby has the best possible start in life.