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