PURPOSE:
This oral presentation will emphasize the pivotal importance of integrating culturally congruent birthing wisdom across all forms of contemporary midwifery practice—be it nurse-midwifery, professional midwifery, licensed midwifery, or traditional midwifery. We aim to address the profound displacement many Indigenous, Black, and Brown midwives experience from their traditional/cultural practices, acknowledging the vital intersection where regulation meets culture to provide holistic, patient-centered care globally.

DISCUSSION:
Drawing on lived experience and emerging evidence, this presentation will delve into two to three diverse case studies, spanning spiritual/traditional midwifery, certified nurse-midwifery, and obstetric care. These cases will demonstrate how honoring and strategically integrating traditional practices, adapted for modern living, can enhance trust, autonomy, and deliver superior, complete care. We will explore practical strategies for supporting midwives worldwide in this integration, ensuring patients receive optimal, non-displaced care deeply connected to their everyday lives and inherent cultural beliefs.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
While midwifery gains global recognition as a preferred model for maternal care, a persistent challenge remains: many midwives especially those of Indigenous, Black, and Brown descent, particularly in the Global South and the United States, experience a profound displacement or disconnection from their cultural, traditional, and ancestral practices, often contributing to persistent health inequities. Our presentation will utilize diverse case studies and lived experience to illustrate how this disconnection impacts patient care and how strategic integration demonstrably enhances trust, autonomy, and holistic birthing outcomes.

KEY MESSAGE:
Ultimately, this presentation will underscore the universal applicability of culturally congruent midwifery and its indispensable role in achieving true health equity and decolonizing maternal health across diverse nations and communities. By strategically integrating ancestral wisdom into all forms of contemporary midwifery practice, we can ensure every birthing person receives optimal, respectful, and culturally connected care, fostering a future where care is never disconnected from their inherent cultural identity. Poster session 1 (Group A)