Midwifery News and Research

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Psychological factors determine maternal readiness to care for newborns

The first days after childbirth are a time of profound change – not only physically, but emotionally as well. Although the rooming-in model, in which mothers and newborns stay together around the clock, is standard practice in maternity wards, not every woman feels ready to care for her baby independently from the very first hours after delivery.

20 Aug 2026

Experts urge focus on prevention to tackle global heart failure

Heart failure already affects more than 60 million people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization among people over the age of 65.

21 Jul 2026

Culturally tailored midwifery care improves First Nations birth outcomes

More First Nations babies are being born healthy through a culturally tailored midwifery model of care delivered at three major maternity services in Melbourne, according to a large-scale study led by La Trobe University.

9 Jul 2026

Routine midwife debriefing provides critical mental health support for mothers

A new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that a structured, midwife‑led birth debrief can significantly strengthen women's emotional wellbeing after childbirth and can be built into routine maternity care.

9 Jul 2026

Customized fetal growth charts could reduce avoidable stillbirths across the NHS

One-size-fits-all fetal growth charts used in the NHS to monitor babies' growth before birth often misclassify babies as being either too small or too large, which can lead to missed cases at risk of stillbirth or unnecessary interventions, finds a study of over 3 million NHS births across England published by The BMJ today.

8 Jul 2026

University of Surrey team develops first grief tool for unpaid carers

The first dedicated support tool for unpaid carers who grieve for an older person they care for before they have died is being developed by a team led by the University of Surrey.

30 Jun 2026

Solent student masters the art of fake wounds to create life-saving simulations for the military and NHS

A Southampton Solent University student is set to graduate with two jobs already secured, one with the Ambulance Service and one delivering trauma simulation training for the British military.

13 Jun 2026

Extended work shifts disrupt normal cortisol patterns in female nurses

Levels of cortisol, often referred to as the "stress hormone," typically peak in the early morning hours, preparing the body for the day's challenges by increasing alertness and energy levels, and gradually decline throughout the day, reaching their lowest point around midnight.

8 Apr 2026

Study finds most YouTube advice on morning sickness lacks scientific evidence and some may pose risks

Researchers analysed highly viewed YouTube videos on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and found most recommendations lacked strong scientific evidence. Some advice appeared potentially unsafe, highlighting the need for clearer evidence-based guidance for pregnant women online.

23 Feb 2026

Community-based midwife continuity care lowers preterm birth risk across diverse populations

Women who receive continuous care from community-based midwives have a significantly reduced risk of preterm birth in comparison to those who receive standard care.

20 Jan 2026

FDA-cleared ADHD device not effective in reducing symptoms

A large multicenter clinical trial led by King's College London with 150 children and adolescents has shown that a device cleared by the US FDA to treat ADHD is not effective in reducing symptoms.

16 Jan 2026

Improved birth experiences through integrated midwifery care at NYU Langone Health

Although midwives have long been associated with home births, roughly 90 percent of midwife-attended births in the U.S. now occur in hospitals.

14 Nov 2025

UniSA launches pilot effort to make medicines safer for older Australians

In a national effort to make medicines safer for older Australians, the University of South Australia is calling for aged care providers and pharmacists to join a new pilot study to assess medication safety and management in residential aged care.

6 Nov 2025

Strengthening nursing and midwifery in the Caribbean through international collaboration

A new publication highlights the success of an international partnership working to strengthen nursing and midwifery in the Caribbean.

21 Aug 2025

Positive emotions and self-belief ease childbirth fears for expectant mothers

Up to 60% of women experience some fear about giving birth, especially for the first time, but a new study shows why some women are more likely to stay calm and confident in the lead-up to childbirth.

6 Aug 2025

Group prenatal care improves health outcomes for mothers and babies

Women who attend prenatal care visits in groups are more likely to continue with their care and have better health outcomes at birth and beyond, according to a University of Michigan study.

31 Jul 2025

Doulas, once a luxury, are increasingly covered by Medicaid — even in GOP states

As a postpartum doula, Dawn Oliver does her best work in the middle of the night.

10 Jul 2025

WHO releases new guidance to expand midwifery care worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO) today released new guidance to help countries adopt and expand midwifery models of care - where midwives serve as the main care provider for women and babies throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

18 Jun 2025

Older adults with obesity face barriers and stigma in social care

A new study has found that older adults living with obesity can feel judged or dismissed by care providers due to their weight, leading to a reluctance to seek help.

6 Jun 2025

New report reveals progress and persistent inequities among global nursing workforce

The global nursing workforce has grown from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, but wide disparities in the availability of nurses remain across regions and countries, according to the State of the World's Nursing 2025 report, published by the World Health Organization (WHO), International Council of Nurses (ICN) and partners.

12 May 2025