Midwifery Quotes

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Photo Credits:-

Baby sculpture 1
(Myriams-Fotos, Pixabay)

Protecting Hands
(geralt, Pixabay)

Baby Feet
(epicioci, Pixabay)

Front covers of two midwifery books
(Midwifery Today; fair use, educational)

Baby sculpture 2
(Myriams-Fotos, Pixabay)

A bronze sculpture of a sleeping baby in a hand

Midwifery Quotes

In all cultures, the midwife's place is on the threshold of life, where intense human emotions, fear, hope, longing, triumph, and incredible physical power enable a new human being to emerge. Her vocation is unique. (Sheila Kitzinger)

Midwives are the glue that holds maternity care together. They are the first and last line of defense in ensuring the best possible outcomes for mother and baby. (Vicki Penwell)

Be bold. Be proud. Persist in spreading the word that midwives are not only experts in normal birth, but also expert at keeping birth normal. (Midwifery Today, 30 April 2026 Newsletter, celebrating May 5 = International Day of the Midwife)

Protective hands around a sleeping newborn baby

If we want to find safe alternatives to obstetrics, we must rediscover midwifery. To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to women. And imagine the future if surgical teams were at the service of the midwives and the women instead of controlling them. (Michel Odent)

Midwives see birth as a miracle and only mess with it if there's a problem; doctors see birth as a problem and if they don't mess with it, it's a miracle! (Barbara Harper)

New midwives become great midwives in the presence of great midwives who care for new midwives. (Julie Swain)

Baby feet and a small heart cushion stick out from some bedding - very cute!

Goals and Beliefs of the International Alliance of Midwives

We will work to preserve, honor and learn from traditional midwives.
We will redefine the term midwife to include all of the world’s midwives.
We will embrace midwives, doulas, parents, childbirth educators, doctors and activists within our organization.
We will strive for a communal structure that values equality as well as diversity.
We will advocate for birth change that includes partnership with the families we serve.
We will glean from the strengths of countries, organizations and individuals throughout the world to energize and fortify midwifery and promote a birth renaissance.
We will endeavor to de-medicalize midwifery and birth and promote evidence-based care.
We will do our utmost to protect Motherbaby.
We will strive to “first do no harm” by nurturing all women, including the midwife.

(Midwifery Today, undated, accessed 11 October 2026)

In honor of all midwives, Midwifery Today does not use the term “traditional birth attendant,” or “TBA.” We do not want to rob anyone who serves birthing women as a midwife of the title “midwife”—because that is what she or he really is.
(Midwifery Today, undated, accessed 11 October 2026)

Front cover of Paths to Becoming a Midwife book

Front cover of Traditional Midwifery book

Two midwifery books available from Midwifery Today - click on cover for more

My real work as a midwife has been to get out of the way and let women do their work. (June Whitson, CNM)

I had the overwhelming feeling that what we needed to do was nothing. (Elizabeth von der Ahe, midwife)

Good midwifery is a combination of art, science, experience, and instinct. (Jennifer Worth, Farewell to the East End: The Last Days of the East End Midwives)

A bronze sculpture of a sleeping baby in protective hands

Also see:-

Midwifery

Midwifery 2

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