PURPOSE:
Paraguay faces a maternity care crisis marked by high rates of maternal mortality, unnecessary medical interventions, obstetric violence, minimal prenatal education, and an underutilized midwifery workforce. An additional contributing factor driving the complex situation is the limited collaboration between midwives and obstetricians. This presentation will recount the lessons learned from a Fulbright-funded research project that will be completed by January 2026 by an interprofessional team to understand how to better integrate the midwives within the Paraguayan health care system. The findings have implications for similar settings in Latin America and globally, where birth is highly medicalized and especially where midwives remain underutilized.

DISCUSSION:
Key research question: How do we support hospitals and training institutions in fostering interprofessional collaboration with midwives to improve maternal health outcomes and patient experience of care? This research applies the midwifery model of care technical guidance developed by WHO, ICM and UNFPA to the Paraguayan context. We will engage national stakeholders and thought leaders to conduct strategic planning and transitional framework assessments to define next steps to achieve a more collaborative maternity care workforce. To that end, midwives can provide a continuum of care for birthing people as well as improve sexual and reproductive health services and education for the entire family.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The last published research on the role of midwives in Paraguay was conducted in 2011.The research highlighted the shrinking space for midwives to practice alongside obstetricians.

KEY MESSAGE:
Collaborative maternity care model may reduce unnecessary interventions and improve patient experience. Interprofessional - collaboration