House of Commons – April 7, 2025

That this House recognises the International Day of the Midwife, on 5 May, along with its theme for 2025, ‘Midwives: critical in every crisis’; expresses its support for midwives in the United Kingdom and around the world for the vital contribution they make in providing care and support to women and their families during pregnancy, throughout labour and during the period after a baby’s birth; notes however that, globally, we are facing a growing number of compounding crises, including natural disasters, war, and the ongoing impact of climate change, which can threaten the safe, effective delivery of maternity care; recognises the importance of the role of midwives in caring for women during these challenging times; further recognises that, in both times of peace and in times of crisis, midwives can and do support safe births and provide antenatal and postnatal care as well as sexual and reproductive healthcare, and educate and prepare women with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe and healthy; and commends the contribution made by the International Confederation of Midwives and the Royal College of Midwives in championing better, safer maternity care, at home and abroad.