title: Missing midwifery: relevance for contemporary challenges in maternal health.
abstract: Midwifery is rooted in public health, and most of its history has been community oriented. In India, midwifery evolved during the British rule; but over the years with changes in political and program priorities, the role and the capacity of midwives has changed substantially. The verticalization of national health programs has obscured the midwives' community focus and inhibited its contribution to the wider public health. There is a global acceptance and recognition of the midwifery model of care and skilled delivery for ensuring effective maternal health outcomes. The approaches are in line with local needs and have proved its effectiveness in resource-constrained settings. It is important to recognize the substantial contribution they make to public health, working to promote the long-term well-being of women, their babies and families, by offering information and advice on nutrition, supplementation, breastfeeding, and immunization. There is considerable scope for developing the midwifery model through enhancing the extent of their involvement in assessing health needs of local populations, designing, managing and evaluating maternal and health services, making timely and effective referrals and developing family-centered care.
authors.affiliation: Center of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rupa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Rajib
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
keywords: Auxiliary nurse midwives; midwifery model of care; midwifery regulation and practices; skilled birth
references.citation: Health Policy Plan. 2002 Mar;17(1):90-8
references.pmid: 11861590
references.citation: Midwifery. 2011 Oct;27(5):700-6
references.pmid: 20708311
references.citation: Nurs J India. 1968 Nov;59(11):369-71
references.pmid: 5190955