Event: International Day of the Midwife

April 29, 2009 (Sarasota, FL) -- May 5th is the International Day of the Midwife, a day set aside in 1991 by the International Confederation of Midwives and observed in over 50 nations worldwide. In 1992, Florida Governor Lawton Chiles joined in this celebration by adding Florida to the growing list of states and countries that observe this day.

In honor of this day, the Sarasota chapter of Florida Friends of Midwives, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida, is hosting a celebration at Sarasota’s Rosemary Court. The event will feature a documentary from student midwife Kati Triese, chronicling the history of western midwifery, as well as a special Cinco de Mayo tribute to the Mexican midwives who recently visited our community. Local restaurants Two Senoritas and Sangria Tapas Bar are generously donating Mexican fare. Admission is free to the public and local media is welcome and invited to attend.

Midwives have a long and valued history in Florida. The state first passed legislation to license direct-entry midwives in 1931, and the first Certified Nurse Midwife was licensed in Florida in 1970. Florida’s midwives have continued to tirelessly serve the families of Florida and to ensure the continued availability of safe, evidence-based birthing options for Florida’s families.

Harmony Miller is Licensed Midwife in Sarasota. For Miller, International Day of the Midwife is a special observance. “Every year, International Day of the Midwife reminds me to look beyond my community, my state, and even my country,” says Miller. Midwives provide care to the majority of the worlds’ families. To remember this broadens my world view. So much history, tradition, and care ties us all together. International Day of the Midwife reminds me to be grateful for the midwives of the past; their work made mine possible. On International Day of the Midwife, I am also reminded to be grateful to all the families that continue the tradition, one pregnancy at a time.”

About Florida Friends of Midwives:
Florida Friends of Midwives is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the Midwives Model of Care and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida. Florida Friends of Midwives was formed to support midwives who offer safe, cost-effective, evidence based care to Florida's families. For more information, please visit www.flmidwifery.org.