In October 2020, Moi University offered a three day training on the 12 Steps of ICI for the maternity staff of six local health centers. The training was based on an original curriculum that they developed with support from UNFPA Kenya and NEPAD Kenya. ICI is grateful for the enthusiastic response and initiative shown by the Moi University Department of Midwifery and Gender, and their leadership in advancing the twelve steps within the region. Please contact ICI if your team is interested in receiving a copy of the Kenyan curriculum
On Feb 3, 2021 as part of FIGO’s (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) current webinar series addressing various global women’s health issues, ICI presented a webinar that delves into the background and building blocks of the International Childbirth Initiative. The webinar highlights the levels of engagement possible for health care professional associations, educators, advocacy leaders, and others interested in active participation with ICI. If you are interesting in joining ICI, please view the webinar, “Joining the International Childbirth Initiative: and introduction for facilities and national OB/GYN and midwifery societies” here.
We were grateful to Spinning Babies for inviting Jennie Joseph, Vicki Penwell, Robin Lim, and our ICI Co-Chair Debra Pascali-Bonaro, to participate in the Spinning Babies 2020 Confluence on behalf of their participating ICI sites. Now that the conference has ended, the recording of the panel is available. To watch more from the ICI, please follow our Youtube channel.
The delegates of FIGO World Congress in Rio de Janiero this week enjoyed an impressive beginning to the Presidency of Dr Carlos Fuchtner of Bolivia.
Maternal mortality was a major theme of his opening address when he highlighted the fact that 52% of maternal deaths are attributable to the three leading, and entirely preventable, causes of haemorrhage, sepsis and hypertensive disorders. Dr Fuchtner also addressed that 8% of maternal mortality can be attributed to unsafe abortion, before addressing the unmet need for access to family planning and the estimated costs of gender based violence in some countries runs from 1.2% to 3.7% of GDP.
Dr Fuchtner made the following commitments:
The International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization (IMBCO) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) joined forces, developing a single global initiative to provide guidance and support for safe and respectful maternity care. This work built upon their previous initiatives—the IMBCO ‘10 Steps to Optimal MotherBaby Maternity Services’1 and the FIGO ‘Guidelines to MotherBaby Friendly Birthing Facilities’2 —and incorporates the most recent evidence and insights relating to quality maternal, newborn and child health provision. It also reflects much of the work being carried out by organizations involved in maternal and newborn health throughout the world.
This initiative, ‘The International Childbirth Initiative (ICI): 12 Steps to Safe and Respectful MotherBaby–Family Maternity Care’ was launched in October 2018 during the FIGO World Congress in Brazil in a special side event with presentations from key partner organizations. ICI provides clear steps for the implementation of evidence-based maternity care worldwide, acknowledging the interaction between the MotherBaby dyad and the family environment as well as their interactions with health providers and systems. The term ‘maternity care’ refers to the entire scope of care provided by healthcare providers to women and babies during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Lalonde, et al, 2019 International Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics
Recently WHO researchers described seven dimensions of mistreatment in maternity care that have adverse impacts on quality and safety. Applying the WHO framework for quality care, service users partnered with NGOs, clinicians, and researchers, to design and conduct the Giving Voice to Mothers (GVtM)–US study.
This is the first study to use indicators developed by service users to describe mistreatment in childbirth in the US. Our findings suggest that mistreatment is experienced more frequently by women of colour, when birth occurs in hospitals, and among those with social, economic or health challenges. Mistreatment is exacerbated by unexpected obstetric interventions, and by patient-provider disagreements.
Read the study here by Saraswathi Vedam, et al – Reproductive Health 2019 16:77
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-019-0729-2
A survey of 1.2 million women from more than half (114) of the world’s countries has found that the thing they most wanted from reproductive and maternal health services was to be treated with respect and dignity.1
After that requirement, the women, who were asked an open ended question about their health needs, said that they would like clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and adequate medicines and supplies.
Kristy Kade, deputy executive director of the White Ribbon Alliance, a US based international coalition of organisations aimed at decreasing maternal and newborn mortality, and co-chair of the What Women Want campaign, which conducted… read more
by Zosia Kmietowicz
BMJ 2019; 365 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4107 (Published 07 June 2019)
BMJ 2019;365:l4107
A new initiative launched by the International Childbirth Initiative (ICI) at the XXII FIGO World Congress in Brazil provides comprehensive guidance and support for safe and respectful maternal care globally.
Endorsed by a growing number of health professionals, advocacy groups and educational institutions around the world, ‘12 Steps to Safe and Respectful MotherBaby-Family Maternity Care’ is a clear and unifying template for maternal and newborn health (MNH).
Building on ICI’s past work and cutting-edge evidence, the 12 Steps also reflect the best practice of organisations currently working in the field of MNH worldwide.