what does it change if you have to give birth?

This Wednesday, February 24, midwives are on strike. Underpaid and insufficiently recognized profession, the men and women of this profession demonstrate. If you have to give birth on this day, don't worry, you can.

Midwifery is one of the many professions that are underpaid, little recognized and understaffed. Indeed, it should be known that a midwife – who is not a profession reserved only for women, despite her feminine name which can be confusing – will be less valued in terms of salary than her colleagues in the medical field. This is why they are protesting.

This Wednesday February 24, just like January 26 and February 10, midwives will go on strike. At 3 p.m., a meeting between a delegation of the medical profession and the Ministry of Health is scheduled.

Different treatment

What you need to know is that a midwife earns around € 1,700 at the start of her career, while a general practitioner earns € 2,750. The latter figure is lower than what a midwife will receive at the end of her career. However, according to the public health code, midwives and doctors have the same medical status. An extremely unfair pay gap.

In addition, last summer the government raised the salaries of the medical professions. Plus € 1,000 for some against € 183 for midwives. We can then understand their dissatisfaction. Midwives perform medical examinations, use state-of-the-art machinery, play an important role in the prevention of breast and cervical cancer, provide regular follow-up and give birth to pregnant women who are sometimes alone. It is a magnificent profession but insufficiently recognized.

Midwifery is one of the professions that is most prone to burnout: 66% of them are victims of emotional exhaustion according to the National College of Midwives of France. Terrifying numbers.

What if you give birth during the strike?

No panic for future mothers. If you have to give birth on a day of midwifery strike, you won't have to give birth on your own. Midwives in the public setting are assigned, and will still be present. However, in the private sector, they have every right to be absent or to close their practice. You will certainly be warned beforehand and redirected to the nearest hospital.

Cecile Fischer

Initially a fashion student, Cécile slowly turned to journalism, which she found more sincere. She is an editor for aufeminin and Parole de mamans, proud to write for committed media.

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