PURPOSE:
Around ten to twelve percent of midwives and student midwives are predominantly left-handed. This percentage is also reflected in the general population. This biological variability is known as laterality and is due to hemispheric specialisation of the brain. In many societies, right-handedness is still the norm. Even if left-handed children are no longer consistently retrained to use their right hand, they are still at the mercy of the constraints of the material right-handed world. Left-handed midwives face unique challenges in their training and practice. In clinical practice, the equipment is almost exclusively designed for right-handed employees and often does not even allow flexible switching to the left hand.

DISCUSSION:
The surgical curriculum has no specific salutation or recognition of left-handers and the contributions and challenges they represent. The development of adapted learning materials for left-hand dominant students midwives could close a significant gap in training. Developing resources for left-handed students and colleagues could address this inequity in midwifery education. Left-handed instruments are a solution to these technical challenges. The industry already provides instruments for left-handers. Left-handers benefit from mentors with the same hand preference when learning practical skills. Certain practical skills can also be photographed, filmed with left-handers for left-handers.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Eva Aalbæk Dimon and Karina Klavsen, midwives at university hospitals in Aarhus and Esbjerg in Denmark have filmed and prepared educational films for the suturing of birth injuries with left-handers. Since the summer of 2024, special left-handed videos have been available for basic surgical techniques and selected birth injuries.The initial feedback from colleagues around the world is inspiring. We can't leave anyone behind just because they are left-handed!

KEY MESSAGE:
Training and daily work can be made easier for left-handed midwives with adapted teaching materials and instruments for left-handed people. With the right teaching support, left-handed students can develop into excellent midwives. Postpartum - perineal