RCM joins the world's largest virtual gathering of midwives
on 07 June 2021
This June the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has joined the world’s largest virtual gathering of midwives as the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) virtual Triennial Congress kicked off.
ICM’s 32nd Triennial Congress has over one million midwives from across the globe in attendance and RCM members are well represented with RCM staff members leading key international sessions.
On day one, work-related stress and resilience were highlighted in a presentation by RCM’s Senior Learning Organiser Rae Trotter who previously worked as a labour ward lead midwife. She shared how she was repeatedly exposed to traumatic events which led to physical and mental ill health.
Commenting, Rae said: “I realised my experience was not unique and evidence suggested many other midwives where suffering in silence. Seeing how this impacted on myself and my colleagues, I recognised the need for prevention and support for midwives. My role as a learning organiser at the RCM has enabled me to do this and thankfully now coping strategies for newly qualified midwives are embedded in the undergraduate midwifery curriculum.”
The role of midwifery continuity of care for women at higher risk of pre-term birth was explored and presented with a poster by the RCM’s Quality and Standards Advisor Lia Brigante. On the 30th of June, Lia Brigante and Mary Ross-Davie will be presenting on the role of professional midwifery association in the implementation of continuity models. Lia & Mary will be sharing the work the RCM has done to support members implementing midwifery continuity of carer in the UK. This included highlighting the learning game ‘Continuity Counts’ which was originally developed by the RCM to support its members to better understand how to deliver midwifery continuity of carer locally.
Commenting Lia said: “Research, experience and evidence has shown us that the provision of care by a known midwife or small group of midwives throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period can improve health outcomes for women and babies. Midwifery continuity of care and carer may change the working patterns of some midwives and the RCM has been supporting our members with training, workshops as well as developing guidance and advice on how best it can be implemented across the UK. It is a pleasure to present our work and findings at a truly international conference to so many midwives from across the world.”
Lia will also host a live Q&A on her presentation to congress on 30 June at 2pm.
Every Wednesday in June, the ICM will host virtual mini-Congresses instead of keeping the originally planned schedule of five successive days and the RCM will be contributing to sessions across the month.