January 2026 Newsletter: Strengthening Midwifery Together

Vision in Action: Strengthening Midwifery Together

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Vision in Action: Strengthening the Future of Midwifery Together Notes from Our President-Elect By Tigist Ejeta, CPM, MA As NACPM steps into 2026, we are guided by a bold and necessary question: What foundations must be in place for a future where CPMs are widely available and fully integrated across the country? This is not simply a question of growth; it is a question of vision, infrastructure, and long-term stewardship. It asks us to imagine a future where CPMs are not working at the margins of the system, but fully integrated, fully resourced, and fully recognized as essential contributors to maternal health in the United States. At NACPM, our work has always been rooted in a simple, but powerful, truth: Midwifery thrives when communities thrive. As we look ahead, our vision expands beyond the present moment toward the systems, structures, and policies required to sustain a dramatically larger, more diverse, and more supported CPM workforce. This vision is grounded in the lived realities of midwives, families, and communities across the country. It calls us to build — not just dream — toward a future where every midwife has the resources, respect, and infrastructure they need to serve safely and sustainably. To meet our goal, we need the following: 1. Scaling up the CPM Workforce. Meeting the needs of families nationwide requires preparing for major workforce growth by expanding midwifery schools and training pathways, increasing clinical placements, diversifying the student pipeline, and strengthening reimbursement systems to support sustainable practice. 2. Supporting Midwives: Reducing Burnout and Strengthening Sustainability. Nearly half of midwives experience burnout due to workload, limited autonomy, challenging conditions, and insufficient recognition.¹ Reducing burnout requires systems that support midwives as whole people through fair reimbursement, access to healthcare and retirement pathways, and expanded opportunities for leadership, teaching, research, and policy work. 3. Strengthening Quality Through Data, Research, and Training. As the profession grows, our commitment to quality must grow with it. NACPM supports national data collection, community-based research, and ongoing training that promote excellence, along with systems that ensure accountability, transparency, and equity. 4. Policy Advocacy and Systems Change. Building a future where CPMs are fully integrated into the U.S. maternity care system requires a strengthened advocacy infrastructure. This includes providing advocacy training for midwives and students, supporting state chapters, advancing federal recognition of CPMs, supplying data to inform policy change, and coordinating strategies that amplify community voices. We remain deeply committed to uplifting midwives who serve communities historically excluded from mainstream maternity care; supporting Indigenous, Black, immigrant, and rural leadership; and honoring culturally grounded models of care rooted in autonomy and community wisdom. NACPM continues to champion policies that expand access to CPM care, protect reproductive autonomy, ensure midwives are represented in all decision-making spaces, strengthen integrated, risk-appropriate systems, and promote safe, respectful transfer pathways. A Call for Thought Leaders Across the Profession Realizing this vision requires passionate leaders across the profession such as educators, researchers, clinicians, policy advocates, community organizers, and students. Building the future of midwifery is collective work, and every voice strengthens the whole. This is a moment of possibility. With your leadership, stories, and commitment, we are shaping a future where midwifery is vital, CPMs are fully integrated into perinatal systems, and every family has access to respectful, culturally grounded, community-centered care. Reference: 1. Suleiman-Martos N, Albendín-García L, Gómez-Urquiza JL, Vargas-Román K, Ramirez-Baena L, Ortega-Campos E, De La Fuente-Solana, EI. Prevalence and predictors of burnout in midwives: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020 Jan 19;17(2):641. doi:10.3390/ijerph17020641 Special Offer Extended for NACPM Members! We’re thrilled to extend an incredible offer available exclusively to NACPM members. From now until March 20, members can purchase the Masimo Rad-G Pulse Oximeter (with temperature sensor, suitable for newborns, children, and adults) for the remarkable price of $540. (Yes, it’s FDA approved for CCHD screening use.) This is a significant savings on a high-quality, versatile clinical tool widely used across community birth settings. Not an NACPM member? Join today. Annual Exclusive UpToDate Offer FYI! The discounted subscription of UpToDate® for NACPM members renews on February 21. UpToDate® is a leading clinical resource for evidence-based decision-making across 12,000+ topics. Want the discounted subscription? Become an NACPM member! New Member Benefit! Become an NACPM member today and enjoy 15% off Motherlove® Herbal Products. Motherlove is dedicated to unlocking the power of plants and herbs to support expecting and new mothers. Founded by an herbalist mother more than three decades ago, Motherlove’s products are rooted in the wisdom of Mother Earth and time-honored herbal traditions. They offer organic herbal remedies for pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and baby care, thoughtfully crafted to support families through every stage of the journey. Join today to take advantage of this new member benefit and experience the support of plant-based care. Take Advantage of These Membership Benefits… Members: Keep an eye on your inbox for the private purchase links to these three membership benefits. Not yet a member? Now is the perfect time to join the NACPM community. Become a member today and you’ll receive full access to these special offers! BECOME A MEMBER Cassaundra Jah, Executive Director of NACPM, visited the offices of the Institution for Medicaid Innovation in Washington, DC in mid-January, as part of a collaborative effort funded by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative. The meeting was facilitated by Elephant Circle and the Institute for Medicaid Innovation, and brought together by the American Association of Birth Centers, Birth Center Equity, Birth Place Lab, and the National Association to Advance Black Birth, in addition to NACPM, to support states in advancing the midwifery model of care. Legislation Update! The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act was signed into federal law after Congress unanimously passed the legislation. The legislation requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to strengthen and streamline its screening protocols for breast milk, formula, and related feeding equipment. These improvements will ensure parents can navigate airport security without unnecessary delays, confusion, or the risk of damaging essential nutrition products. This study explores healthcare provider knowledge and beliefs towards perineal repair. If you are an OB/GYN, midwife, or family medicine physician, you are invited to participate by filling out this short survey. The survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete. Please direct any questions to University of Miami Miller School of Medicine third-year medical student and project lead, Hunter Kessous, at hsk71@med.miami.edu. COMPLETE SURVEY Building the Future of Midwifery: NACPM’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan Have you seen NACPM’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan: A Vision for Collective Action, Community Leadership, and Lasting Impact? This plan lays out a bold and actionable roadmap for strengthening midwifery care, advancing equity, and supporting Certified Professional Midwives across the United States. Rooted in community leadership and a deep commitment to reproductive justice, the plan focuses on building a more sustainable midwifery workforce, expanding access to community-based care, strengthening organizational leadership, and advancing state and federal policy change. We invite all members, partners, and supporters to explore the plan and join us in this collective effort to center midwifery, transform care, and create lasting change. VIEW NACPM’S 2025–2027 STRATEGIC PLAN Don’t miss NACPM’s Annual Meeting as we celebrate 2025’s achievements, share our vision for 2026, and welcome Melissa Cheyney, PhD — midwife, researcher, and advocate — as our keynote speaker. We’ll highlight new resources, state chapter wins, key advocacy efforts, and financial support for aspiring midwives! Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026  Time: 2:00–4:00 PM CST Join midwives, advocates, and change-makers in shaping the future of midwifery. We can’t wait to see you there! REGISTER! Upcoming Conferences (Click the graphics to learn more) We invite our community to take the Birth By Birth Pledge! Midwives show up — in every kind of crisis and in the quiet power of daily care. Each birth you attend is an act of courage, commitment, and love. We’re asking you to reflect on that work and consider making a donation of $10 for every birth you attend through the year. Your pledge supports NACPM’s work to expand access, grow the CPM workforce, and advance equity in midwifery care. Whether you’ve attended five births or fifty, your impact is undeniable, and your support helps build the future of this movement. TAKE THE BIRTH BY BIRTH PLEDGE NOW Scope-Specific Prescriptive Authority and CPM Pharmacology Competencies Last month, we invited CPMs to offer public comment for review of two documents. Those are now published on NACPM.org: 1. Issue Brief: Scope-Specific Prescriptive Authority A short policy document outlining NACPM’s perspective on CPM access to medications and devices needed for safe, regulated midwifery care. 2. Practice Resource: CPM Pharmacology Competencies A practical guidance tool describing recommended competencies and documentation expectations for CPMs who seek to expand their pharmacology training beyond entry-level scope. These documents serve different purposes — one offering policy context, the other supporting implementation. Thank you for contributing to the clarity, safety, and advancement of CPM practice nationwide! READ OUR ISSUE BRIEFS Rhode Island NACPM Chapter We are delighted to announce that the Rhode Island Chapter has become NACPM’s newest State Chapter! This dedicated network of midwives joins us in advancing NACPM’s vision of a primary birth care system in which every birthing person has access to a midwife, where birthplace is a family’s choice, and where all childbearing people and their babies have the same chance to be healthy. State chapters play a vital role in bringing NACPM’s mission to life at the local level. They create opportunities for midwives to connect, share resources, and build collective strength in advocating for the profession. By working together within their states, chapters are able to address unique community needs while contributing to the larger national movement for equity and access in perinatal care. With their leadership and commitment to community-centered care, the Rhode Island NACPM Chapter becomes an invaluable part of this work. Their presence strengthens our unified voice to shape policy, protect our profession, and support healthy beginnings for all families. We are honored to welcome the Rhode Island NACPM Chapter and invite those interested in joining to do so here. Oregon Midwifery Council The Oregon Midwifery Council is very excited to be accepting registrations for our upcoming 2026 Lobby Day for Midwives, in collaboration with the ACNM Oregon Affiliate. Lobby Day will take place on February 11, 2026. We look forward to meeting our legislators and ensuring they understand the incredible value of community midwives and our care in all settings. We invite all midwives in Oregon to register today! No experience is necessary to participate. This is a perfect opportunity for learning. Appointments will be short, with a buddy, and we will provide all the training and materials you need. Complimentary lunch will be provided! Please reach out to OMC President Andrea Keating at omcpresident@ormidwifery.org if you're out of the area and need support for travel or accommodations, as carpooling and rooms to stay may be available. REGISTER FOR OREGON LOBBY DAY FOR MIDWIVES February Silent Auction Online CEU Course! Mercy In Action is honored to partner with Tigist Ejeta, NACPM Board President-Elect, and NACPM in offering February’s continuing education donation. The winning bidder may select any 1 of Mercy In Action’s 15 MEAC‑accredited online CEU courses, each offering engaging, high‑quality continuing education hours that reflect the school’s long-standing commitment to excellence in midwifery training. Starting bid: $50 I’m proud to support the NACPM Auction. NACPM’s mission to strengthen the CPM workforce, expand equitable access to midwifery care, and provide scholarships for student midwives is essential to the future of our profession. When you bid, you’re investing in safer births, stronger communities, and the success of student midwives. PLACE YOUR BID AND SUPPORT MIDWIFERY NOW! Become a CPM in Hawaiʻi If you’re called to midwifery and rooted in Hawaiʻi, you are encouraged to apply for this scholarship through Pacific Birth Collective! This program is designed to: Grow the number of CPMs in Hawaiʻi Strengthen our maternal health workforce Support long-term, community-based maternity care Eligible expenses may include tuition and program fees, books, supplies, childcare, transportation, licensing and certification costs, and apprenticeship expenses. Round 1 Application Deadline: February 15, 2026 (11:59pm HST) APPLY NOW NACPM invites you to our Midwifery Student Social Hour — a space for student midwives to connect, share experiences, and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities within midwifery education and practice. Date: March 11, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM PST | 3:00 PM CST | 4:00 PM EST This is an opportunity for students to engage with NACPM leaders, voice their concerns in a supportive space, and build a strong network of peers. We look forward to seeing you there. REGISTER VIEW OUR EVENT CALENDAR HERE. (If viewing on mobile device, hover over the gray calendar boxes.) SUBMIT YOUR EVENT HERE. If you or people in your network/community are hosting relevant events, or events that offer CEUs to midwives, please share this form with them so that we can feature their event on our calendar. NACPM is proud to be supported by hundreds of individual donors and these visionary foundations. © 2024 NACPM 8120 RESEARCH BLVD STE 105 PMB 140 If you do not wish to receive further communication like this, unsubscribe here.

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