Home
Issues
Aim & Scope
Open Access
Editorial Board
Indexing
Supporting Midwifery Associations
Contact us
Manuscript Types
Manuscript Formatting
How to submit
Special publications and Reprints
Authorship & COI
Principles of Transparency Checklist
Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement
CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Green midwifery in action: Strengthening existing best practices for sustainability in Dutch primary midwifery care
1
Research Centre Innovations in Care- Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences-, Midwifery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A965
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Midwives play a vital role in mitigating and adapting to climate change by protecting, preserving, and promoting health. Their holistic, preventive approach aligns naturally with the goals of planetary health. In the Netherlands, many midwives are already implementing sustainable practices—often independently—yet the healthcare sector remains one of the most environmentally harmful sectors, contributing 7% of national CO₂ emissions. Within maternity care, no structured implementation plan exists to scale up and support these green efforts.
OBJECTIVES:
This project aimed to (1) identify and highlight existing green best practices among Dutch midwives based on the five pillars of the Green Deal Sustainable Care 2022, and (2) co-create an evidence-informed implementation plan for sustainable practice with midwives and stakeholders.
METHODS:
Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine primary care midwives between February 2023 and March 2024. Interviews explored sustainability at four levels: personal, professional, organisational, and societal. Data were thematically analysed using Atlas.TI. Extracted best practices were critically reviewed for scientific grounding and feasibility.
RESULTS:
Dutch midwives are already contributing significantly to sustainable care across various domains. Two overarching themes emerged: (1) Navigating trade-offs (e.g., sustainability vs. hygiene or comfort) and (2) Building awareness and knowledge among midwives and women. A broad set of best practices was compiled, reflecting the leadership midwives are already taking and addressing additional actions at personal, clinical, organisational, and societal levels.
CONCLUSIONS:
Midwives are frontrunners in sustainable healthcare. This project supports their efforts by providing a structured, evidence-informed implementation plan. The plan will be shared with the Royal Organisation of Dutch Midwives (KNOV) and integrated into educational programs.
KEY MESSAGE:
Midwives are already acting as change agents for sustainable health. Strengthening and scaling these best practices supports both environmental and maternal health. Poster session 4 (Group B)
Midwives play a vital role in mitigating and adapting to climate change by protecting, preserving, and promoting health. Their holistic, preventive approach aligns naturally with the goals of planetary health. In the Netherlands, many midwives are already implementing sustainable practices—often independently—yet the healthcare sector remains one of the most environmentally harmful sectors, contributing 7% of national CO₂ emissions. Within maternity care, no structured implementation plan exists to scale up and support these green efforts.
OBJECTIVES:
This project aimed to (1) identify and highlight existing green best practices among Dutch midwives based on the five pillars of the Green Deal Sustainable Care 2022, and (2) co-create an evidence-informed implementation plan for sustainable practice with midwives and stakeholders.
METHODS:
Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine primary care midwives between February 2023 and March 2024. Interviews explored sustainability at four levels: personal, professional, organisational, and societal. Data were thematically analysed using Atlas.TI. Extracted best practices were critically reviewed for scientific grounding and feasibility.
RESULTS:
Dutch midwives are already contributing significantly to sustainable care across various domains. Two overarching themes emerged: (1) Navigating trade-offs (e.g., sustainability vs. hygiene or comfort) and (2) Building awareness and knowledge among midwives and women. A broad set of best practices was compiled, reflecting the leadership midwives are already taking and addressing additional actions at personal, clinical, organisational, and societal levels.
CONCLUSIONS:
Midwives are frontrunners in sustainable healthcare. This project supports their efforts by providing a structured, evidence-informed implementation plan. The plan will be shared with the Royal Organisation of Dutch Midwives (KNOV) and integrated into educational programs.
KEY MESSAGE:
Midwives are already acting as change agents for sustainable health. Strengthening and scaling these best practices supports both environmental and maternal health. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
