International Day of the Midwife 2026: Midwifery Advocacy in Action

This May 5th, we're celebrating International Day of the Midwife in a powerful way: by advocating for the future of midwifery care in New York State.

Honoring Midwives Through Midwifery Advocacy

International Day of the Midwife, established by the International Confederation of Midwives in 1992, recognizes the essential contributions midwives make to maternal and newborn health worldwide. This year's theme, "One Million More Midwives," couldn't be more relevant to the midwifery advocacy work we're doing right here in New York.

On May 5th, I'll be joining advocates from across the state at the Million Dollar Staircase in Albany for the Mobilize Maternal Health Coalition's Day of Action. We're rallying to support the CPM licensure bill (A1125/S5542), a critical piece of legislation that would establish a pathway to licensure for Certified Professional Midwives in New York State.

Why CPM Licensure Matters for Birth Centers

As VP of the New York State Birth Center Association and co-founder of March for Midwives, I see this legislation as essential infrastructure for expanding birth center access across our state. Currently, 38 states have legal recognition for CPMs, with 37 offering licensure. New York needs to join them.

Here's the reality: you can't open birth centers without midwives to staff them. The CPM licensure bill would expand our midwifery workforce by creating a legal pathway for Certified Professional Midwives, whose scope of practice is specifically designed for community-based birth in homes and birth centers. These midwives graduate from programs accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC), meeting international standards set by the International Confederation of Midwives.

The current bill includes important provisions that allow licensed CPMs to prescribe medications needed for safe community-based pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, and to order imaging and laboratory testing. All of which are essential capabilities for operating independently in birth center settings.

What's Happening in Your State?

While New York works toward CPM licensure, midwifery advocacy is happening across the country. The American College of Nurse-Midwives is hosting their Health Policy Summit and Hill Day on May 4-5 in Washington, D.C., mobilizing the birth justice movement on the federal level.

So I want to ask you: What is happening in your state to promote midwifery?

Are advocates fighting for licensure reform? Medicaid reimbursement parity? Scope of practice expansion? The challenges may look different state to state, but the goal is the same: ensuring every family has access to midwifery care and the birth setting that's right for them.

Join the Midwifery Advocacy Movement

Whether you can make it to Albany on May 5th or not, there are ways to get involved in midwifery advocacy:

1. Share Your Story with March for Midwives

March for Midwives is a national movement amplifying the voices of families and birth workers who believe in the midwifery model of care. Visit marchformidwives.com to share your birth story. The more we say it out loud, the harder it becomes to ignore.

2. Find Out What Exists Where You Are

Use the National Birth Center Directory to see what's available in your state. If there's nothing, that is information. That's a talking point to bring to your elected officials.

3. Support Birth Centers Financially

The Birth Center Collective Equity Excellence Fund supports BIPOC-led and under-resourced birth centers keeping their doors open. Your donation is a direct investment in maternal health.

4. Contact Your Legislators

If you're in New York, reach out to your Assembly Member and Senator to support A1125/S5542. In other states, find out what midwifery legislation needs your voice.

Bringing Midwifery Back to the Community

The midwives practicing today, whether they're Certified Nurse-Midwives or Certified Professional Midwives, are carrying forward ancient, evidence-based, community-rooted care. Their work isn't "alternative." It's what birth care looked like before it became an industry.

This International Day of the Midwife, let's celebrate by taking action. Join us in Albany. Support CPM licensure. Share your story with March for Midwives. And ask yourself: what can you do in your state to expand access to the midwifery model of care?

Every family deserves choice. Every community deserves midwives. We need to bring midwifery back to the community.