Saving Lives at Birth; Maternal Health in Uganda

We hope this update finds you well! While lots has been happening in the world of maternal health at the Shanti Birth House over the past few months, we are excited to update you on the CME (Continuous Medical/Midwifery Education) sessions we have been working to make more regular. We have been putting a lot of energy and resources into making the CMEs a steady routine, and they have been happening twice a month. Regular CMEs is one of the cornerstones in keeping midwifery knowledge and skills refreshed and up to date. Using CMEs as a form of professional development will keep improving the quality of the services we deliver, and will help us to provide respectful and better care for more women.

After identifying any needs or gaps of knowledge, there are many different ways to carry out the CMEs. They can be done through videos, discussions, research and presentations, as well as guest seminars. The last couple of months we have covered a quite wide range of topics, from infection prevention, meconium aspiration, referrals and cord care, to breastfeeding and prenatal massage. And there will be many more exciting topics to come!

These sessions also give the midwives the opportunity to catch up with each other in between shifts, share their knowledge, and usually have a couple of good laughs. From our youngest midwife, fresh out of midwifery school with updated knowledge, to our older and more experienced staff, there are many lessons to be learned and many stories to be told.

Every woman deserves respectful and safe maternal care, and every midwife deserves the ability to provide the best care she is capable of. Through the routine of CMEs we keep working towards defeating maternal mortality and improving maternal health in the villages surrounding the Shanti Birth House.