Midwives are true everyday heroes who support parents during one of the most exciting and challenging phases of their lives. From pregnancy to birth and postnatal care, they do essential work - emotionally, medically and organizationally. But despite their importance to families, midwives are coming under increasing pressure. Why is that, and how can we all help to ease their burden?

The current state of midwifery care

The situation for midwives has deteriorated dramatically in recent years.

• Facts and figures: In many regions, especially in rural areas, there is an acute shortage of midwives. At the same time, liability costs for freelance midwives continue to rise, forcing many to stop working. According to recent studies, up to 25% of pregnant women cannot ensure continuous care by a midwife.
• Consequences for families: The shortage not only means stress for expectant parents, but can also pose health risks if, for example, important preventive examinations are cancelled or new parents are left without support.

Why midwives are indispensable

Midwives play a central role in the health care of mother and child.

• Before birth: They accompany women through pregnancy, carry out preventive examinations and prepare the parents for the birth.
• During birth: As trusted companions, they create a safe and calming atmosphere that can be crucial for a complication-free birth.
• After the birth: During the postpartum period, they ensure that mother and child are well cared for – be it with questions about breastfeeding, baby care or the emotional processing of the birth.

The challenges midwives face

The general conditions for midwives have deteriorated considerably in recent years.

• Financial burdens: The high liability insurance premiums make it almost impossible, especially for freelance midwives, to cover their costs.
• Time pressure: More and more tasks and fewer staff mean that midwives often work at their limits.
• Lack of appreciation: Many midwives report that their work is not sufficiently recognized by society, even though they play a key role for families.
• Unfair payment: A home visit, for example, is only paid 27 euros gross - regardless of whether it lasts 20 or 60 minutes. Flat rates for travel expenses are no longer appropriate at 30 cents per kilometer. In addition, midwifery courses are only paid 10 euros per hour - while yoga classes now often cost 15 euros or more.
• Competition from unregulated providers: More and more professional groups such as are offering similar services, but are not bound to fixed remuneration rates. This devalues ​​the midwifery profession, while freelance midwives continue to be bound by the statutory requirements of the health insurance companies.

How we can all help

There are numerous ways to support midwives and give them support:

• Donations and funding programs: Organizations such as the Midwives' Association are committed to improving conditions and are happy to receive financial support. A portion of the proceeds from our company COOZ one® goes directly to projects that promote midwifery work.
• Raising awareness: By informing the public about the situation of midwives, we can build political pressure to demand better working conditions.
• Demand political support: We must work together to ensure better remuneration and faster negotiations on fee adjustments in order to ensure security of care for pregnant women.
• Show gratitude: A simple "thank you" can make a big difference. Parents who share their positive experiences can encourage others and highlight the importance of midwifery work.

A personal appeal

As a mother of two children, I know how valuable the support of midwives is. They have helped me to feel safe and empowered as I have grown into my new role as a mother. These experiences have inspired me to make a contribution with COOZ one® and to actively help by donating to the midwives' association. I am convinced that together we can achieve a lot to strengthen this indispensable professional group.

Midwives are unsung heroes who do great work behind the scenes. They deserve our full support - whether through donations, political engagement or sharing their stories. Let's work together to ensure that they can continue to support families who so desperately need their help.

Blog photo: Holiak - freepik.com