Woman-Centered Care: A Non-Negotiable

Celebrating Five Years of Birth & Baby Show: A Heartfelt Thank You

It’s the end of another year, and I’m taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared together on the Birth & Baby Show. We’ve celebrated five years of connecting with amazing guests, listeners, and viewers, and I’m so grateful for your continued support.

As we wrap up another year, I, Dr. Margreet Barnardt, wanted to take a moment to reflect on the work we do and the personal journey that fuels my passion. In this episode, we’ll delve into my recent research and a newly published peer-reviewed article focusing on Strategies to facilitate upscaling midwifery practice in South African maternity units.

Based on challenges faced by midwives, we’ve developed two strategies to promote woman-centered care. These strategies emphasize creating an enabling work environment that empowers midwives to provide high-quality care and equips women to actively participate in their healthcare decisions.

To further elevate midwifery practice in South Africa, we need to address issues like independence, autonomy, and ensuring midwives’ voices are heard. Additionally, the curriculum for midwifery education and training should be aligned with the standards set by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).

Let’s explore these critical aspects and discuss how we can collectively work towards a more supportive and empowering healthcare system for women.”

James S, Wibbelink M, Thomson A, Strategies to facilitate upscaling midwifery practice in South African public units. Afr J Midwifery Womens Health 2023. https://doi.org/10.12968/ajmw.2022.0037