MIDIRS - Midwifery Information & Resource Service

This week is World Breastfeeding Week, an annual event organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action - WABA to "raise awareness and galvanise action on themes related to breastfeeding".

To commemorate the week, our Search Pack of the Month for August is PN63: Breastfeeding - Professional Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge. Head to the link below to learn more about World Breastfeeding Week and access the free resource.

https://rcm.org.uk/search-pack-of-the-month/2026/08/breastfeeding-professional-attitudes-beliefs-and-knowledge/

Looking to get the most out of your MIDIRS subscription?

Read our tips for using the MIC Database, so that you can be confident in searching through over 350,000 resources on the world's largest midwifery-specific research database.

As always, if you have any questions, need support with accessing our resources or if you'd like a MIDIRS librarian to carry out a bespoke search for you, get in touch at [email protected] 📚

Learn more about the database: https://rcm.org.uk/midirs/midirs-maternity-and-infant-care/

The recent publications of the Amos and Ockenden reviews identified recurring problems across maternity and neonatal services. Many of the recommendations set out by Baroness Amos and Donna Ockenden echo the research priorities set out last year in the JLA/RCM Maternity Priority Setting Partnership (PSP), which captured the questions that matter most to women, families and maternity professionals.

We know the challenges: the opportunity now is to strengthen the evidence base and help drive improvements in maternity care.

We're inviting midwives, students, educators and clinicians to contribute papers to MIDIRS Midwifery Digest that address the key priorities outlined in the reports and the JLA/RCM PSP. If your research aligns with these priorities, we'd love to hear from you.

To learn more about the research priorities, read guidance about writing for the Digest and to submit your article, head to our website: https://rcm.org.uk/midirs/midirs-midwifery-digest/

For advice or questions about submissions, please email Dr Sara Webb at [email protected]

"Seeing men working in maternity settings helps demonstrate that compassion, empathy and caregiving are human qualities, not gendered ones"

On our latest blog, male maternity support worker Shane North discusses how compassion and professionalism help him support families and challenge stereotypes in maternity care.

Read here: https://rcm.org.uk/blog/2026/07/my-life-as-a-male-maternity-support-worker/ 📚

To mark South Asian Heritage Month, July's Search Pack of the Month explores the experiences and practices of both maternity professionals and women across Asia, including South Asia. This year's theme "Unity in Diversity" offers an opportunity to reflect on how maternity care practices vary across cultures and regions, whilst remaining united in the common purpose of supporting women and families.

Learn more about South Asian Heritage Month and access the resource, which is packed with literature to support your understanding of global midwifery practices: https://rcm.org.uk/search-pack-of-the-month/2026/07/midwifery-in-asia/

New on MIDIRS Blog: Community Midwife Helen Fayers reflects on her experience supporting women considered to be complex or vulnerable through poetry 💗

You can read her work here: https://rcm.org.uk/blog/2026/06/poetic-reflections-of-a-community-midwife/

Catch up on our latest Midwives-in-Training Research and Journal Review Club session, ‘Improving Confidence in Perineal Repair’ with guest speaker Fiona Cross-Sudworth, out now on MIDIRS YouTube:

Improving Confidence in Perineal Repair with Fiona Cross-Sudworth This recording of the Midwives-in-Training Research and Journal Rev...

There’s still time to join us tomorrow for a free webinar aimed at improving student midwives’ confidence with perineal care.

Head to our Eventbrite to secure your free ticket!

Student Midwives: come along to our next session of the Midwives-in-Training Research & Journal Review Club to improve your confidence in perineal care.

Our host Michelle McKay will be joined by Fiona Cross-Sudworth, an experienced midwife and research fellow, and part of the FutureSuture study team. She will explore the study's aims, objectives and methods and introduce a new e-learning module designed to increase your confidence and competence in trauma management and perineal care.

Learn more and book your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mitrjrc-improving-confidence-in-perineal-care-tickets-1990408733101

Happy Student Midwife Celebration Day💗🥳

Today we are celebrating the resilience and compassion of student midwives around the world. From mastering clinical skills and improving outcomes to championing evidence-based care and developing your academic skillset, your dedication to supporting women and families is unwavering.

Team MIDIRS are proud to support you on this journey🫶

To learn more about the ways in which we support student midwives, head to the 'Products, Services & Student Support' tab on our website: https://rcm.org.uk/midirs/midirs-products/

The 34th ICM Triennial Congress has officially begun in Lisbon 🎉

Bringing together maternity professionals from around the world, the Congress is a chance to share knowledge and highlight the importance of increased funding, research and support for maternity professionals globally.

Our colleagues at The Royal College of Midwives and members of MIDIRS Editorial Board, are in Lisbon amplifying the voices of midwives in the UK and abroad. Keep an eye out for our joint postcards which detail MIDIRS International Subscription Offer, part of our commitment to supporting evidence-based maternity practice globally, in collaboration with International Confederation of Midwives 🌍️

🔍️ For more information about getting an International Subscription, which starts at just £10 per year, head to our website: https://rcm.org.uk/midirs/midirs-subscribe/ #:~:text=Discounted%20rates%20for%20global%20midwives