International Code of Ethics for Midwives 

Introduction

This Code sets out the ethical foundations that guides the profession of midwifery and midwives in all areas of practice across the ICM Professional Framework for Midwifery. It is designed to be used alongside the ICM’s Bill of Rights for Women and Midwives.

This Code applies to all midwives globally and provides ethical guidance that is relevant across diverse contexts, cultures, and health systems. It is grounded in the ICM’s Philosophy and Model of Midwifery Care and supports midwives to practise autonomously, independently and, in accordance with the ICM’s International Definition and Scope of Practice of the Midwife.

This Code guides midwives, midwifery leaders and midwives’ associations in their practice, helping them navigate complex situations, advocate for reproductive justice, and advance midwifery as a profession. The Code supports midwives to act in rights-based ways, ensuring that midwifery practice across the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health (SRMNAH) life course contributes to the health, dignity, and emancipation of women, girls, gender-diverse people, their newborns, and communities.

Development of the Code

This Code was updated in 2025-2026 by an ICM working group of international midwifery ethicists, educators, researchers, and midwives with a specialist interest in ethics. Through several rounds of global consultation, feedback was received and integrated, and the final Code was approved by the ICM Council in June 2026.

Use of the Code

This Code may be used or adapted as a national or local Code of Ethics for midwives and serves at the ethical foundation on which a Code of Conduct is built. Further guidance on the development and implementation of Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct is available in the ICM’s Global Standards for Midwifery Regulation Companion Guide.

Structure of the Code

The Code is organised into four domains, with Midwifery Relationships intentionally positioned first to reflect the foundational importance of relationships, particularly those between women and gender-diverse people and their midwives, in shaping the ethical foundations of the profession:

Midwifery Relationships

Statements that describe how midwives relate to others, including women and their newborns, as well as midwife colleagues, other healthcare professionals, students and, themselves.

Midwifery Practice

Statements that describe midwives’ responsibilities for maintaining competence and safeguard human rights.

Midwifery Knowledge

Statements that describe how midwives generate, maintain, contribute, and share midwifery knowledge.

Midwifery Leadership

Statements that describe the responsibilities of midwives at all levels of leadership in representing and advancing the profession, and in advocating for the rights of women and marginalised communities.