IRM History & Mission

The International Registry of Midwives was founded by Licensed Midwives from several countries, who saw the need for an internationally recognized, out of hospital credential. These Midwives have since retired and the International Registry of Midwives is now being operated by Midwives and Physicians in the United States, Europe, Ecuador, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

The original vision included a credential that could be used by Midwives serving in countries other than their own- countries that did not recognize outside certification but also often did not have their own nationwide credentialing option or independent Midwifery recognition.

A credential that honored a multitude of global Midwifery standards, with the addition of advanced and culturally sensitive knowledge that is needed to serve low resource settings.

This credential, the CIM, was first awarded in 2016. The CIM would ultimately increase the minimum standard of training for out of hospital Midwives around the world.

Training guidelines with credentials that could be duplicated and obtained anywhere in the world, not limited to a specific country, continent, language or socioeconomic status.

The mission and leadership has evolved over the years, and is now even more heavily focused on advanced training and certification for Midwives that independently serve communities and train students, many with a focus on underserved populations.

The current IRM Executive team, Board, Steering Committee and Staff is comprised of Global Maternity Health Leaders that are honoring and rapidly expanding the original goals and reach of the founding members.

In 2017, at the request of global Maternal Child Health leaders, the Registry also developed and started offering training guidelines and certifications for Traditional Birth Attendants and Global Doulas- all with a focus on improving care in low resource settings with less than ideal maternal child health outcomes. 

We support:

●Expanding access to humanized maternity care through Midwives, Traditional Birth Attendants and Global Doulas

●Training indigenous women to serve their own communities

●Human rights

●Autonomous and Independent Midwives that have the ability to serve across borders

●Strengthening communities by caring for women and their children

●Improving global economies through better maternity care

We provide Midwifery, Traditional Birth Attendant and Global Doula educational scholarships to women in low resource settings that wish to improve the maternity care system in their own countries.

We work with global Ministries of Health and Midwifery education programs, to assist them in improving their national maternity care by implementing our training guidelines and certifications into their education programs and health systems.

In 2025, we will resume Micro Loans to qualified Midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants from low resource settings, who wish to open practices and birth centers in their communities.

These loans will also be accompanied by:

●Client/patient educational documents and presentations

●Customized practice setup guidelines

●Customized policies and procedures

●Customized business training and plans

We believe the financial practice setup backing and business support will set recipients up for success quickly, ultimately allowing them to have an immediate and lasting positive impact on their communities, while also creating an income for their own families.

The International Registry of Midwives has a strong foundation and a bright future.

Join us on this mission and together we will improve access to quality maternal child healthcare, ultimately strengthening families, communities and economies.