Happy International Day of the Midwife! Join us in honoring the successes of midwives and recognizing the importance of midwifery. Lamaze International and Science & Sensibility recognize the contributions that midwives make globally to to ensuring safe and healthy births for families everywhere. The first official International Day of the Midwife was recognized in 1992, and has been celebrated world-wide through activities, awareness and events ever since. The International Confederation of Midwives provides the structure annually to recognize the contributions and importance of midwives. The theme for the 2016 International Day of the Midwife is "Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery." Midwives are crucial to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality world-wide.

The women and newborns of the world need midwives now and in the future. Midwives have a key role to play as the global community strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of reducing maternal and newborn mortality and ensuring universal access to healthcare services. To ensure that there are enough qualified midwives to care for all women and newborns, countries must continue to increase investments in the education of midwives and growing the midwifery workforce.

Every woman deserves access to the high quality, skilled care provided by an educated and qualified midwife. All women and newborns should have the best possible chance of surviving and thriving throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

How are you celebrating International Day of the Midwife? How do you share the Midwifery Model of Care with your students and clients? Is there a midwife in your professional or personal circle that might like to hear from you as you express your gratitude for their service and contributions to safe and healthy birth? Take a moment to let them know how you feel.

I have created a fun quiz for you to take that shares interesting facts about midwives, both within the USA and internationally. Take a few minutes to try your hand at the quiz and let us know how you do. Did anything surprise you?

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