DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC:
Background: In Malawi, the maternal mortality rate remains high, at approximately 381 deaths per 100,000 live births (World Health Organization, 2024). Evidence shows that midwifery-led care is the only health systems intervention consistently associated with improved birth outcomes (Fernandez et al., 2020). As the country works to expand its maternal health workforce, student midwives play an essential role. However, their lived experiences—particularly within high-pressure labor ward environments—remain largely unexplored. Objective: To explore the experiences, challenges, and motivations of student midwives during clinical placements on labor wards in Malawi. Methods: This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 12 groups of midwifery students during their clinical rotations. Thematic analysis was conducted using inductive coding. Results: Students faced a difficult transition to clinical practice, marked by fear, emotional distress, and a perceived lack of preparation. Despite exposure to trauma, resource shortages, and inconsistent institutional support, they remained deeply committed to providing respectful and compassionate care. Nine key themes emerged, reflecting the complexity of their experiences. Among these, the phrase “a home of mothers” encapsulated the students’ collective underscores- their enduring motivation to reduce maternal mortality through transformative and person-centered care. Conclusion: Many Malawian student midwives enter the profession to reduce maternal mortality. Despite trauma, limited resources, and uneven support, they remain committed to respectful, woman-centered care. Midwifery must become “a home of mothers”—a place of safety and dignity for birthing individuals and the students learning to care for them.

RELEVANCE TO MIDWIFERY:
Midwifery is a vital profession in addressing maternal and neonatal mortality. However, the formative experiences of midwifery students—critical in shaping their professional identity and influencing their retention in the field—remain insufficiently explored. Ensuring the sustainability of the midwifery workforce requires a deeper understanding of these experiences and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to support students as they transition into clinical practice. Woman-centered 1 (including three-minute presentation competition)