midwives make a difference
5 May is International Day of the Midwife and we’re celebrating the difference midwives make in improving health throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond.
We’re backing the ICM’s calls for a million more midwives across the world, and safe staffing to provide safe maternity care here in the UK.
Find out more in our new publications and our safe staffing campaign page
Join the Royal College of Midwives
Safe staffing = safe care
Urgent action is needed to address chronic staffing shortages in maternity services that are putting women, babies and staff at risk. Too many midwives, maternity support workers and students are facing extreme pressures as a daily reality.
Our members tell us they are exhausted, overstretched and working in unsustainable conditions. 45% of midwives report burnout often or always, and only 16% feel there are enough staff to do their job properly.
News & events
Midwives: improving health, in pregnancy and beyond
Midwives support around 635,000 births each year in the UK. They are the lead professionals for most pregnancies and births providing expert care that keeps women and babies safe through pregnancy, birth and early weeks of life and work closely with other health professionals when specialist care is needed.
