1. To at all times be a qualified and registered midwife/accoucheur or associated professional in South Africa, and to uphold all legal and professional requirements of independent midwives
2. To practice evidence-based midwifery but also never to neglect the important role of intuition in midwifery care, with the goal of authentic preventative practice
3. To at all times be mindful of the importance of ‘sensitive’ care of pregnant and birthing women, mothers, babies and families, which has as its essence a gentle,
emotionally intelligent, respectful, kind, woman-centred approach
4. To take the client’s needs and preferences into account at all times and do everything possible to ensure they are realised
5. To encourage and foster self-confidence in pregnant and birthing women, and mothers, at every interaction
6. To acknowledge that tried-and-trusted, innovative midwifery steps often yield profoundly positive effects and to implement these as first-line physiology-supportive
practice, rather than routinely or too easily medicalising care
7. To resist the temptation to be directive in midwifery care, favouring instead an acutely observant, ‘silent’, responsive approach
8. To at all times be truthful with the client, advocate for her, and respectfully but actively intercede with colleagues and authorities on her behalf if necessary
9. To be an ambassador for midwifery, by promoting excellent midwifery care in word and deed at every opportunity, with integrity
10. To take seriously a commitment to ongoing professional development