The conference, held within the framework of International Midwives' Day, brought together various experts at Ca Xapes to address crucial topics. Among the points discussed were perinatal mental health, postpartum trauma, youth sexual health, vulvar dermatology, female genital mutilation, and climacteric, as well as workshops on body awareness.
One of the most prominent aspects has been the demand for more resources for the profession. Currently, the province of Tarragona has 116 active midwives, a figure considered "clearly insufficient to cover the needs of the population." The ratio is 4.1 midwives per 10,000 women, well below the World Health Organization's recommendation of a minimum of 10 midwives per 10,000 women.
“"It is important to be here because we care about the health of women and their families. They always link us with women, but we go further: men who will be fathers, we are in the Study Unit of Sexually Transmitted Contacts, sexual education for young people..."
This shortage of personnel sometimes leads to a midwife having to attend up to three births simultaneously, complicating a task that requires specialized attention. The CODITA Midwives Commission warns that between 2026 and 2040, 36 midwives will retire, with a critical peak between 2029 and 2036, and especially in 2033.
“"if the Generalitat does not create a training and retention plan and provide the minimum sexual health care that we midwives offer, we will not succeed."
The event saw the participation of 60% of the midwives in the province of Tarragona, with the involvement of all hospitals. Furthermore, according to the survey by the Catalan Health Service's Perception, Experience and User Satisfaction Survey Plan, the midwives of Valls were the second highest-rated in Catalonia in 2025, with 99.2% satisfaction for the personal treatment provided.
