Behind life’s beginnings

"I believe the heart of midwifery lies in extending assistance to the community, a community I feel deeply connected to as one of its own members," said Daw Shwe Mi, a 40-year-old midwife from Lae Thit Out Village, Southern Shan State, her voice filled with passion and her eyes shining with unwavering commitment.

In regions where hospitals are far and clinics scarce, midwives become the lifeline for expectant mothers.

On May 5, we celebrate International Midwives Day, honoring these unsung heroes who bring vital care to remote and challenging areas worldwide.

Midwives, unlike hospitals or clinics, bring care, building trust through personal connections and community understanding.

In the remote Nyaungshwe township of southern Shan, Daw Shwe Mi stands out as one of the rare midwives in the region, tending to the needs of seven villages, including in her own home in Lae Thit Out Village.

Every day, Daw Shwe Mi steps into the rhythm of her role as a midwife - her cozy home in Lae Thit Out village transforms into a makeshift health center as she prepares for the day ahead.

Her first task of the day is conducting pregnancy check-ups either at home or by visiting patients in their villages, despite transportation challenges. She ensures all mothers receive comprehensive care leading up to delivery, scheduling check-ups at key stages of pregnancy. Even if mothers miss appointments, she makes personal calls or visits their homes to provide the necessary check-ups.

"Even when I'm visiting friends, I make it a point to check if there are any expecting mothers in that village," she said. On any given day, she conducts at least three home visits but often completes five, sometimes as many as ten.

She also maintains close surveillance over newborns, conducting thorough check-ups upon discharge and at regular intervals, according to guidelines for follow-up checks. She swiftly refers any cases with persistent issues to the hospital or clinic. Fortunately, serious illnesses are infrequent; however, she recently referred one child to the hospital for a respiratory illness.

Her role as a small village midwife doesn’t come without its fair share of challenges, one of them being limited medical supplies. She deals with minor illnesses with essential medicines she receives with support from Sun Community Health (SCH) and UNICEF. Although critical cases requiring urgent hospital referral are rare, she identifies them when they occur. All newly delivered mothers receive a newborn care kit that includes items for hygiene care and cloth diapers, caps, and socks - also supported by SCH and UNICEF.

If expecting mothers require hospitalization or caesarean sections, Daw Shwe Mi actively advocates for these mothers to receive financial assistance. Thanks to UNICEF's support, this aid amounts to 300,000 MMK, ensuring the mothers can access the care they need without facing financial hardship.

“Getting financial aid for expecting mothers is a huge relief for them. It really helps the families relax about the delivery and not stress over expenses.”

As she hosts regular knowledge-sharing sessions with a small group of mothers, she notices that her patients often confide in her about their personal and financial matters.

“I usually discuss topics related to pregnancy, the well-being of children and hygiene during these sessions. I also try to listen to them talk about their struggles, which is not easy, as I’m not a mental health professional. But I keep an open heart and mind, guiding them in the right direction towards a safe delivery; emphasizing that a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body and to cultivate positive thoughts.” 

"Looking back on my journey, I am truly grateful for the support from organizations like Sun Community Health and UNICEF,” she said, her eyes beaming with fulfillment. “My passion for aiding mothers and children continues to drive me forward, and I firmly believe that with ongoing support, I can truly make a meaningful difference in their lives.” 

*This story is originally published on the UNICEF Myanmar website.