These comments by Antoinette Formosa were some of many reflections on the role of the midwife and the quality of maternity care presented at the seminar entitled Midwives – A voice for Healthy Families.

The seminar, held yesterday at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi hotel, was organised by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) in collaboration with the Midwives Association on the occasion of International Midwives Day.

Parliamentary Secretary Helen D’Amato said that Malta has one of the lowest birth-related mortality rates. “A fact that we should be proud of,” she said, “but if we really want to deliver a quality service we have to do so in a holistic context.”

“There is no doubt” she added “that the contribution midwives can give both before and after birth is invaluable.”

Speaking to TMID, MUMN president Rudolf Cini said: “Why should women give birth in hospitals? Maternity is not a sickness... Unfortunately we have become accustomed to hospitalisation to the point that we go there for anything.

“The cardinal concept we are trying to promote today is that midwifery should not be restricted to the actual birth. Midwives have their part to play in a number of areas, especially if they are allowed to practice the knowledge they gain in their training.

“Midwives are trained to help mothers both before and after birth. Unfortunately, most people disregard these delicate phases for a number of reasons, key of which is lack of time. We know of countless incidents where mothers have had problems, particularly psychological ones, that have emerged even weeks after actually giving birth.

“In this context we are trying to reintroduce the role of the midwife as a profession that is embedded in the community. A concept that is in line with the direction taken by the EU,” Mr Cini said.