In recent months, questions have surfaced around issues such as the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. We understand how quickly such concerns can raise uncertainty for midwives and the families we serve. At NACPM, we believe the midwive's role is not to dictate choices, but to ensure that every client has access to clear, evidence-based information, supportive alternatives, and the space to make decisions aligned with their own values and circumstances.
We affirm that midwifery is a human rights profession, grounded in the principles of informed choice and bodily autonomy. While evidence matters people’s decisions are also shaped by lived experience, cultural context, financial realities, and histories of exclusion or harm within the medical system. That is why NACPM holds space for for peer-reviewed studies and the wisdom of practices that have served communities for generations alongside reverence for body autonomy.
Our commitment is threefold:
Evidence: We draw on the best available research to provide accurate, up-to-date information on health risks, treatments, and alternatives.
Equity: We recognize that policies and funding decisions often limit access to care, especially for Black, Indigenous, rural, and marginalized families, and we advocate to expand, not restrict, those options.
Autonomy: We believe every person has the right to decide what is best for themselves and their families, free from coercion and supported by trusted care.
Whether the topic is pain relief in pregnancy, vaccine access, or other emerging public health concerns, NACPM will continue to walk alongside midwives and the communities they serve; ensuring that client voices remain central, and that care is delivered with dignity, transparency, and respect.