To mark this year’s International Day of the Midwife (IDM) we are inviting midwives, maternity support workers, students and allied health professionals around the world to demonstrate their support through our special IDM campaign.
In recognition of this year’s theme Midwives: Defenders of Women’s Rights, our campaign aims to highlight the wonderful work midwives do to ensure the women in their care have a positive birth experience.
In keeping with this strand of thought we’d like to gather together and display a montage of your favourite photos. In particular, a collection of images that depict midwives and/or students using the world’s oldest tool for listening to the fetal heartbeat – the pinard!
Send us your photos!

As staunch advocates of the pinard, we’d love to see your photos of how this simple yet effective tool is used in your practice, clinical placement or in the community. This can be in any setting you like and we welcome submissions from those of you working both in the UK and overseas.
About the pinard stethoscope
Simply designed and non-invasive, the pinard stethoscope can be used in any setting. As well as its historical significance, it is supported by both NICE and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), and is a valid tool in ensuring the fetal heartbeat is recorded accurately.
How to submit your image
- A high resolution image (colour or black and white)
- A brief photo caption not exceeding 50 words
- Send to digital@midirs.org or share on Twitter using #meandmypinard and #IDM2019
All images and captions will be featured on our blog and in MIDIRS Midwifery Digest to celebrate the amazing work of midwives and MSWs!
Do check out what other organisations are doing this year to celebrate IDM. The RCM Great Midwifery Cake Off competition returns with a great reward of a £250 gift voucher for the winner.
RCM Defenders of Women’s Rights study day on 30th April 2019 in London, provides an opportunity to network with a wide range of midwives, maternity support workers and students. The event also incorporates the launch of the second edition of the Midwifery Continuity of Care guide.
And for an overview of IDM visit the International Confederation of Midwives website where the 2019 resource pack can be found
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