Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım from the Midwifery Department evaluated the transformation of the midwifery profession from its historical roots to its modern structure today, within the scope of April 21-28 Midwives' Week.
Reminding that C-section rates in Türkiye are at a high level of 61.2 percent, Assoc. Prof. Yıldırım said, “According to World Health Organization data, in systems where midwives are active, both C-section rates and maternal and infant mortality are lower.”
Emphasizing that digital developments in the healthcare sector have also transformed midwifery services, Assoc. Prof. Yıldırım stated, “Now, care services are no longer limited to hospitals; they can also be sustained through digital platforms.”
Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım from Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, evaluated the transformation of the midwifery profession from its historical roots to its modern structure today, within the scope of April 21-28 Midwives' Week.
Stating that “Midwifery is a profession as old and deeply rooted as human history. For centuries, midwives have stood by women giving birth, supported them, and been trustworthy figures in their most difficult moments,” Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım added that today, midwifery has evolved from merely assisting births into a professional healthcare field based on scientific data.
Midwives now play an active role throughout the entire process
Noting that midwifery, once learned through a master-apprentice relationship, has now become a profession taught in universities, Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım said, “Midwives are now healthcare professionals who monitor the physical and psychological health of the mother from pre-pregnancy to birth and the postpartum period, can manage normal childbirth, and play an active role in newborn care. They also provide services in areas such as family planning, reproductive health, and public health.”
Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım pointed out that today, midwives are involved in both preventive and curative healthcare services, stating, “With the development of technology, they can reach more people through methods such as remote monitoring, mobile applications, and telehealth. Furthermore, it has become possible for them to provide services independently in some areas.”
New regulation strengthened midwives' independence
Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım stated that midwifery education in Türkiye was raised to undergraduate level in 1996, and then academically strengthened with master's and doctoral programs. She added, “However, in the past, midwives largely working under physicians created some limitations in terms of professional independence. To change this situation, the new Midwifery Regulation published by the Ministry of Health on December 3, 2024, has strengthened midwives' independent working rights, such as practicing as a freelancer, by clarifying their powers and responsibilities. As part of the Normal Birth Action Plan, it has been ensured that every pregnant woman has her own dedicated midwife and receives one-on-one midwifery support during the birth process. The regulation has enabled midwives to be more effective and authorized not only during childbirth but also in areas such as reproductive health, sexual health, family planning counseling, and public health leadership. Midwives are encouraged to manage births and C-sections according to current clinical guidelines, reinforcing their decision-making authority in physiological processes that do not require medical intervention. Furthermore, the ‘Normal Birth Action Plan’ aims for midwives to become ‘active managers’ in birth management again and for every pregnant woman to have her own midwife.”
C-section rates make the role of midwives even more important
Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım stated that some problems can arise in healthcare systems where midwifery services are not strong enough. She said, “Weakening of preventive healthcare services, decrease in healthy lifestyle habits, and disruption of the natural flow of the birth process are some of these problems. The high C-section rate of 61.2 percent in Türkiye is also considered an important indicator of this situation. According to World Health Organization data, in systems where midwives are active, both C-section rates and maternal and infant mortality are lower.”
Explaining that midwives can prevent unnecessary surgical interventions by supporting normal childbirth, especially in low-risk pregnancies, Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım said, “Midwives, who prepare the expectant mother for the process and provide one-on-one support throughout labor, ensure the birth progresses according to its natural flow, thereby reducing the risks of complications. The ‘Clinical Guide for Midwife-Led Labor Management’ published by the Ministry of Health in 2025 also emphasizes the key role of midwives in managing birth as a physiological process.”
They undertake a critical role in postpartum mental health
Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım pointed out that the postpartum period is a sensitive process for mothers, both physically and emotionally. She stated, “During this period, midwives can prevent the mother from feeling lonely by providing regular follow-up and support, and thanks to follow-up visits, mental changes can be detected early. Midwives can identify mothers at risk of postpartum depression early by using various assessment methods during follow-ups, and in necessary situations, refer them to expert support, playing an important role in protecting the mother's mental health through early intervention.”
Digitalization is transforming midwifery services
Emphasizing that digital developments in the healthcare sector have also transformed midwifery services, Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım stated, “Now, care services are no longer limited to hospitals; they can also be sustained through digital platforms. The ‘Motherhood Journey’ mobile application, developed by the Ministry of Health, allows mothers to easily track their vaccination schedule and baby's development thanks to e-Nabız integration. Additionally, through platforms like ‘Ebebul’, families can reach expert midwives via video calls and quickly receive the support they need.”
Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım said that thanks to remote monitoring systems, midwives can digitally track mothers' basic health data such as blood pressure and pulse, noting that this allows potential risks to be detected early and intervened in a timely manner.
“Strong midwifery means a healthy society”
Stating that midwives' more active and stronger participation in the healthcare system significantly contributes to both reducing C-section rates and protecting maternal and infant health, Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım concluded her words by saying, “Strengthening midwifery services is one of the most important steps to be taken for a healthier society.”
