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Model of Care Resources

Midwives offer respectful, anticipatory and flexible care, which encompasses the needs of the woman, her newborn, family and community. These resources focus on the continuity of midwife care model.

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Position Statement

Care of Migrant and Refugee Women and their Families

The rights of migrants and refugees must be protected in all countries and in all circumstances. Midwives must ensure equity in access to SRMNH services regardless of a person's refugee status.
A midwife Hotaru Tsuchida teaches a Yoga lesson to a pregnant patient just before giving birth at Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.
Position Statement

Keeping Birth Normal 

ICM supports normal childbirth as a physiological life event, promoting midwives' expertise and advocating for accessible, midwife-led care options within healthcare systems.
A smiling midwife embraces a mother and her baby in a midwifery clinic with colourful art on the walls
Position Statement

Collaboration and Partnerships for Healthy Women

ICM advocates multi-professional collaboration for optimal sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn care, emphasizing trust, open communication, and strategic partnerships.
Position Statement

Professional Accountability of the Midwife 

ICM asserts midwives must actively acquire and update knowledge, skills, and competency through professional education, ensuring accountability for their actions.
Midwife Talita Oseguera performs a general check up with Lacee Rodgers who is 32 weeks pregnant at Choices clinic. Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Core Document

Professional Framework for Midwifery (2021)

Every profession needs a structure to support it, strengthen it and guide its development, that includes all the elements required before an occupation can be considered a profession.
Midwife Juliya Akter is doing Sathi Akter’s (22) pregnancy routine checkup. Her role involves monitoring the progress of labour, offering guidance, and facilitating a safe and positive birthing experience. She does routine examinations in the female ward and attends to newborn babies and mothers. Keraniganj Upazila Health Complex, Bangladesh.
Core Document, Definition / Glossary

Definition of Midwifery

ICM has developed the definition of midwifery, used around the world as the basis of the profession.
Position Statement

Midwifery Led Care, the First Choice for All Women

A midwife-led model of care means that the midwife is responsible for planning, organising, and delivering care to a woman from the initial booking of antenatal visits through to care during the postnatal period. The implementation of midwife-led care is critical to improving maternal and newborn health.
Position Statement

Home Birth

ICM supports women's right to choose home birth with midwife-led care, urging national governments to integrate services and advocating for competency programs.
A midwife Hotaru Tsuchida prepares to help with delivery at Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.
Position Statement

Appropriate use of Intervention in Childbirth 

For most women, childbirth is normal, life event. Midwives should only use interventions during childbirth when these are necessary. All women should have access to quality are, including options for lifesaving interventions when they are needed.
Position Statement

Appropriate Maternity Services for Normal Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Postnatal Period

All women should have access to quality, midwife-led care for their sexual, reproductive, and maternal health needs. Midwives should be active in promoting this model of care to the general population.
Midwives check condition of a pregnant patient just before giving birth at Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.
Position Statement

Appropriate Use of Caesarean Section

The inappropriate (over)use of caesarean section, when evidence-based criteria are not met, is a violation of women's reproductive rights, and is an avoidable burden on health and social systems. Midwives should be accountable for their role in promoting vaginal birth and the use of evidence-based criteria for caesarean section.
Core Document

Philosophy and Model of Midwifery Care

This document provides a universal, description of the philosophy and model of midwifery care, without compromising local or regional characteristics of midwifery care.
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