{"id":5331,"date":"2025-05-05T09:29:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T07:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moovency.com\/?p=5331"},"modified":"2025-05-05T10:12:45","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T08:12:45","slug":"musculoskeletal-disorders-among-midwives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moovency.com\/en\/musculoskeletal-disorders-among-midwives\/","title":{"rendered":"Musculoskeletal disorders among midwives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Musculoskeletal disorders among midwives<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>
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In the collective imagination, the profession of midwife conjures up images of caring for women and childbirth. However, behind this vocation lies a more difficult reality: a demanding daily routine, punctuated by long shifts, awkward postures and an intense physical and mental workload.<\/p>\n

Lifting, bending, holding uncomfortable positions for long hours… So many repetitive movements that, over time, wear down the body and encourage the onset of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These pains, which are harmless at first, can become chronic and have an impact on the health and careers of these behind-the-scenes professionals. However, MSDs among midwives remain a poorly documented subject, often relegated to the background in the face of other occupational health issues.<\/p>\n

We decided to take a closer look at this fascinating profession and the associated risks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Midwifery, a profession with a passion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>
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More than just birth attendants, midwives – or maieuticians for men – have a genuine medical mission.<\/p>\n

They provide gynaecological and physiological care for women throughout their lives, from contraception to pregnancy monitoring, as well as expertise in vaccination, abortion and MAP. They also play a key role in preventing and combating violence against women. In France, they carry out over 80% of deliveries, guaranteeing the safety of both patients and newborns.<\/p>\n

This versatility goes hand in hand with a wide variety of practice patterns. In January 2023, there were 24,354 midwives in France,<\/strong> of whom only 2.8% were men.<\/p>\n

More than half (57%)<\/strong> work in hospitals<\/strong>, where working conditions are particularly demanding: heavy workloads, sometimes insufficient staffing levels, unpredictable emergencies and staggered working hours.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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25%<\/strong> have chosen to work as self-employed midwive<\/strong>s, which presents other challenges, including professional isolation and the need to run their own practice. Finally, a smaller percentage of midwives work in PMI (Protection Maternelle et Infantile) or in research and teaching.<\/p>\n

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These constraints, whether related to the hospital environment or to private practice, have a direct impact on the physical health of midwives.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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A stressful working environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The work environment of midwives, whether in hospitals or private practice, is characterised by organisational demands, repetitive movements and physical conditions that can be physically demanding.<\/p>\n

THE DELIVERY ROOM<\/h3>\n

The delivery room is a place where space and ergonomics are not always optimised to protect the health of the carers. Medical furniture, designed to meet the needs of patients, rarely takes into account the needs of healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n

Childbirth itself involves awkward postures<\/strong> in which the midwife has to adapt her position according to the patient’s needs: squatting, bending over, exerting pressure or remaining static for long periods of time.<\/p>\n

In other cases, managing an emergency delivery or a pathological situation (haemorrhage, foetal distress) requires rapid, repetitive movements, putting even more pressure on the body.<\/p>\n

RHYTHM OF WORK<\/h3>\n

The midwifery profession involves intense work, requiring stamina and increased physical and mental stamina. In the hospital environment, working hours often extend to 12 hours in a row (or even more!), with night shifts, weekends worked and a succession of days without sufficient recovery time. This fatigue affects the body’s ability to recover, leading to muscle and joint pain.<\/p>\n

Working as a midwife means an intense work schedule, requiring stamina and increased physical and mental stamina.
\nIn the hospital environment, working hours often extend to 12 hours in a row (or even more!), with night shifts, weekends worked and a succession of days without sufficient recovery time. This fatigue affects the body’s ability to recover, leading to muscle and joint pain.
\nAs well as the physical impact, the profession is also subject to a heavy mental workload. Midwives have to juggle a number of responsibilities:<\/p>\n

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