Over 100 Midwives Register with Beni’s Professional Order — Radio Okapi

When more than a hundred midwives gathered in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo, to register with their national professional order on April 26, 2026, it might have seemed like a distant event with little bearing on daily life in places like Austin, Texas. Yet this moment represents part of a global shift toward formalizing maternal healthcare professions—a trend that resonates strongly in communities across the United States where access to skilled birth attendants and maternal health equity remain pressing concerns. In Austin, where rapid population growth has strained healthcare infrastructure and disparities in maternal outcomes persist—particularly among Black and Hispanic women—the professionalization of midwifery seen in Beni offers a compelling framework for local action. The Congolese initiative, which culminated in the National Assembly’s approval of the law organizing the National Order of Midwives in May 2023, reflects a broader international movement to regulate, elevate, and integrate midwives into formal health systems—a model that could inform how Texas approaches its own maternal health challenges.

The events in Beni did not occur in isolation. They built upon years of advocacy, including the 2022 academic collation for 72 midwives in Maniema and UNFPA-supported training initiatives that helped strengthen midwifery education across the DRC. These efforts mirror developments in the United States, where states like Texas have grappled with varying scopes of practice for midwives, limited integration into hospital systems, and unequal access to birth center care. In Travis County, where the maternal mortality rate for Black women is nearly double that of white women according to Texas Department of State Health Services data, the push for professional midwifery regulation in Beni underscores the value of standardized training, accountability mechanisms, and interprofessional collaboration—elements that could help bridge gaps in care locally. Just as the Congolese Order of Midwives aims to sanction practitioners who fall short of standards while promoting modernity in the field, Texas could benefit from clearer pathways for midwife licensure, stronger ties between midwives and obstetricians, and expanded insurance coverage for midwife-attended births—particularly in underserved areas east of I-35 and in neighborhoods like Dove Springs and Montopolis.

This global-to-local connection becomes especially relevant when considering Austin’s unique demographic and geographic landscape. As a city that has seen its population swell by over 30% since 2010, with significant growth in eastern Travis County and along the I-35 corridor, the demand for accessible, culturally competent maternity care has intensified. Landmarks like the Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas and the Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin serve as major hubs for maternal care, yet many residents in precincts east of Highway 183 report longer travel times to prenatal appointments and fewer options for midwife-led care. The Congolese model—where midwives are not only trained but formally organized to regulate their profession and engage with community well-being—offers a blueprint for how Austin might strengthen its own maternal health ecosystem. Institutions such as the Austin Birth Center, which already provides midwife-led care, and the School of Nursing at The University of Texas at Austin, which trains future healthcare providers, could play pivotal roles in adapting these lessons to the local context—whether through expanded training programs, community outreach initiatives, or partnerships with local health departments to improve data sharing and quality oversight.

Given my background in analyzing how global health trends translate into local action, if this movement toward professionalized midwifery resonates with you in Austin, here are three types of local professionals Make sure to consider connecting with—and what to look for when choosing them.

• Maternal Health Policy Advocates: Seek out individuals or groups working with organizations like the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee or local chapters of Every Mother Counts who focus on expanding midwifery scope of practice, improving insurance reimbursement for birth center care, and integrating midwives into hospital systems. The best advocates will have demonstrable experience navigating the Texas Legislature, cite specific bills (such as those related to HB 18 or SB 812 from recent sessions), and maintain transparent partnerships with community health workers in underserved areas like St. John or Rundberg.
• Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) with Community Integration Focus: Look for CNMs licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing who not only provide clinical care but actively participate in community health initiatives—such as those hosted by the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department or the Black Mamas ATX collective. Priority should be given to those who offer sliding-scale fees, provide prenatal care in community clinics (like those operated by CommUnityCare Health Centers), and collaborate with doulas and lactation consultants to deliver holistic, culturally attuned support throughout the perinatal period.
• Healthcare System Integration Specialists: These professionals—often found in roles within hospital administration, accountable care organizations, or health tech startups—work to bridge the gap between midwifery-led care and mainstream medical systems. Ideal candidates will have experience implementing collaborative practice agreements between midwives and OB-GYNs, utilizing electronic health record systems that support shared care plans (such as Epic or Cerner modules tailored for maternity care), and measuring outcomes like reduced C-section rates or improved postpartum follow-up attendance in populations served by safety-net hospitals like Dell Seton or the Travis County Healthcare District.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated maternal health experts in the Austin area today.