MIDIRS - Midwifery Information & Resource Service

21/03/2026

New on MIDIRS blog: midwife Holly Manton talks about her time at SOS-Humanity , a civilian search and rescue organisation supporting those in distress at sea.

Read now: https://rcm.org.uk/blog/2026/03/my-time-as-a-search-and-rescue-midwife/

Images © SOS Humanity

16/03/2026

Did you know that MIDIRS offers a discounted subscription for midwives around the world? 🌍️

We have mapped our global pricing structures to make it easy to see which rates apply to you. For midwives in countries coloured in blue, a MIDIRS subscription through your institution costs just £10 or £20 per year.

To look at the full offer - including a breakdown of individual country pricing - and learn how you can sign up, head to our website: https://rcm.org.uk/midirs/midirs-subscribe/

13/03/2026

New on MIDIRS blog: Meg Hyslop-Peart discusses the use of the 'Fresh Eyes' approach in labour care and introduces a national survey exploring how the approach is experienced by clinicians.

Read now on our website: https://rcm.org.uk/blog/2026/03/fresh-eyes-in-maternity-care/

11/03/2026

Missed our latest Midwives-in-Training Research and Journal Review Club?

You can watch our last session, 'Policy and Midwifery Practice' with Clare Livingstone and Mike Indian from now on our YouTube channel.

Catch up here:

This recording of the Midwives-in-Training Research and Journal Review Club (MITRJRC) February session, with guest speakers Clare Livingstone and Mike Indian...

10/03/2026

Student midwives: join MIDIRS and the Midwives-in-Training Research and Journal Review Club for a session on ethical complexities in midwifery.

In this installment of MITRJRC, we will be joined by guest speaker Professor Soo Downe, a midwife with a research focus on the nature of, and cultures around, physiological labour and birth. Soo is Professor of Midwifery Studies at the University of Lancashire, teaching on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

The session, which is hosted by Michelle McKay, will involve a presentation, discussion with fellow students, and a Q&A session with Soo.

Secure your place by getting a free ticket at our Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mitrjrc-ethical-complexity-in-midwifery-research-and-practice-tickets-1984563156825?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/03/2026

This International Women's Day, our Search Pack of the Month brings together research exploring how gendered dynamics shape maternity care. Head to our website to read the article and access the free resource: M53: Feminism & Gender Issues in Midwifery. 💜

https://rcm.org.uk/blog/2026/03/feminism-gender-issues-in-midwifery-search-pack-of-the-month-march/

Our Search Packs are pre-made literature searches on topics within maternity research. They contain a comprehensive bibliographic list of articles as well as article abstracts.

05/03/2026

How did MIDIRS begin? Who were the individuals that got the idea off the ground? How did we operate before we joined the RCM?

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we have today launched a new web page all about the history of MIDIRS, charting the past 40 years of product development, organisational change, and growth!

Learn about how we grew to become the definitive midwifery information resource by heading to our website: you'll find 'Our History' under the 'About' tab.

Read about our history here: https://rcm.org.uk/midirs-history/

05/03/2026

🎉 Today marks 40 years since MIDIRS sent out its very first Information Pack on 5 March 1986🎉

From hand‑assembled Information Packs in the 1980s, to the pioneering Informed Choice initiative in the 1990s, to major database redevelopment in the 2000s, we’ve evolved through technological change and developing needs of maternity professionals while maintaining our core mission: supporting maternity professionals with accessible, evidence-based resources.

Four decades on, we’re proud to continue helping midwives, MSWs, students and researchers around the world access the latest maternity research and resources. Today, our librarians maintain the world’s largest midwifery‑specific research database, and our quarterly Digest reaches readers in over 20 countries.

Thank you for being part of our journey, whether you joined us in 1986 or discovered us today.

Why not join us for the next 40? Head to our website to discover what a MIDIRS subscription can do for you 💗 https://rcm.org.uk/midirs/midirs-subscribe/

02/03/2026

Our March 2026 issue of MIDIRS Midwifery Digest is now live! Swipe to see this edition's table of contents, which includes for the first time a section on the history of MIDIRS, part of our 40th anniversary celebrations.🎉

For print subscribers, the latest issue should be with you in the next few days. For digital subscribers, our digital mailing run is on the way.

If you have any problems with receiving your copy, please get in touch. Happy reading 📚

24/02/2026

We wouldn't be celebrating 40 years without the continued support of our incredible subscribers. As a thank you, we'll be running four giveaways throughout 2026 to coincide with the release of each quarterly Digest. 💗

All subscribers will be entered into a draw to win a MIDIRS goodie bag, including an embroidered tote and branded merchandise. Winners will be contacted after the release of each Digest.

Are you interested in joining the global MIDIRS community of midwives, students, maternity support workers and researchers? MIDIRS subscribers can access:
📕 Our MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, a quarterly publication containing original maternity research
🔎 Our Maternity and Infant Care database, the world's largest midwifery-specific research database
📨 Our Latest Research Update, a weekly research bulletin delivered straight to your inbox

Head to our website to learn more about what a subscription can do for you: https://rcm.org.uk/midirs/midirs-subscribe/

17/02/2026

Student midwives, are you...
📝 Wanting to get into research but unsure of where to start?
👋 Seeking a space to connect with other students outside of your university?
🗣️ Interested in hearing directly from midwifery professionals, researchers and educators?
🔍️ Looking for professional development opportunities with certification of attendance?

If you said yes to any of these questions, then the Midwives-in-Training Research and Journal Review Club could be for you! Take a look at real feedback we received from December's MITRJRC attendees.

The MITRJRC is a friendly online club open to all midwives-in-training to encourage professional connection and promote continued education beyond the curriculum. Our next MITRJRC, which is on midwifery policy and practice, is happening tomorrow at 12pm.

Head to our Eventbrite to secure your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/midirs-113286808191