The Association of Radical Midwives (ARM) is a UK organisation for
midwives
A midwife is a health professional who cares for mothers and newborns around childbirth, a specialization known as midwifery.
The education and training for a midwife concentrates extensively on the care of women throughout their lifespan; con ...
, doulas, mothers, and anyone concerned with the health of maternity services.
The ARM was created in 1976, and is a registered charity. Its founding members were concerned at the increasing medical intervention of childbirth, and used the initials of Artificial
'Artificial Rupture of Membranes', a procedure which was becoming more common. ARM produces the quarterly journal ''Midwifery Matters'.
The word 'radical' in the organisation's name means radical as in 'grassroots', or 'fundamental'. Retainment of midwifery skills such as supporting twin vaginal birth,
breech vaginal birth, and
home birth
A home birth is a birth that takes place in a residence rather than in a hospital or a birthing center. They may be attended by a midwife, or lay attendant with experience in managing home births. Home birth was, until the advent of modern med ...
are a focus of the group, as is the sharing of information, and assisting women with choice and continuity of care.
The ARM has members within the
Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the regulator for nursing and midwifery professions in the UK. The NMC maintains a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses and nursing associates eligible to pr ...
(NMC), Association for the Improvement of maternity Services (AIMS), and the
Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
Its members are midwives, student midwives and others committed to improving maternity services in the UK and internationally. The membership strongly believe that all women have the right to a service tailored closely to their needs, and a sympathetic attitude on the part of their professional attendants. Past members have included the late
Mary Cronk MBE, and the late author
Sheila Kitzinger.
The Association of Radical Midwives website holds information resources on pregnancy and birth, including articles and discussion and links to other maternity groups. The ARM also run groups around the UK who meet both formally and informally on an ''ad hoc'' basis to discuss maternity issues.
References
External links
Association of Radical Midwives website* www.armconference.co.uk Association of Radical Midwives Conference website
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Organizations established in 1976
Midwifery organizations
Medical and health organisations based in the United Kingdom
1976 establishments in the United Kingdom
Midwifery in the United Kingdom