Santa Fe Standard

The state Maternal Health Program in New Mexico is collaborating with midwives across the state and the nation to celebrate National Midwifery Week from October 6 to 12. The program, managed by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth), oversees the licensing and regulation of midwifery practices.

"Midwives provide care in a range of hospital and community-based settings to meet the diverse needs of New Mexican families," stated NMHealth Maternal Health Program Manager Abigail Reese, Ph.D., CNM. "This is a practice with deep roots in the cultural traditions of our state. New Mexico midwives lead nationally recognized training models consistent with the cultural values, beliefs, and practices of patients and clients."

The theme for this year's National Midwifery Week is "Midwives Looking to the Future." It emphasizes expanding the national midwife workforce to reduce adverse health outcomes, particularly in areas with limited healthcare options such as rural communities.

New Mexico hosts one of the leading midwifery education programs at the University of New Mexico. Additionally, it is home to Changing Woman Initiative, an Indigenous-led community birth practice model founded by Nicolle Arthun, MSN, CNM, RN, FACNM.

Two types of midwives are licensed by NMHealth. More information about midwives and National Midwifery Week can be found online at https://www.midwife.org/.

For further details on this press release, contact David Morgan at 575-528-5197 (Office) or 575-649-0754 (Mobile).