The "Navigating Labor" project connects pregnant women with midwives based on geographic proximity, ensuring support throughout pregnancy and delivery, even in emergency situations where evacuation to medical centers may not be possible. We established a specialized setup within Magen David Adom (MDA) and received essential backing from the regional councils in the north, acknowledging the unique needs of residents in the area.

While we aim to extend our solutions to all regions of the country, we have prioritized efforts in the northern settlements that have faced consistent shelling for nearly a year. As part of this initiative, we mapped midwives in the region and established a contact center for pregnant women, facilitating direct connections. Each midwife reached out to introduce themselves and ensure ongoing support while addressing any questions.

To promote safety and healthy outcomes for both mothers and newborns, midwives conducted workshops on birth preparation in emergency scenarios. These workshops serve a dual purpose: to instill a sense of security and foster a deeper connection between women and midwives, while equipping participants with the knowledge needed for managing active births without access to medical facilities. Midwives are provided with the necessary resources for professional care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

The partnership with MDA enhances collaboration between midwives and first responders, ensuring safe transportation solutions during both routine circumstances and heightened security threats. Furthermore, our midwives participated in a newborn resuscitation workshop to enhance their skills for emergency deliveries.

As of September 2024, the project supports over 320 women, with around 50 midwives from northern settlements participating, some of whom have also been evacuated. 

Our success is largely due to key collaborations:

• With the generous support of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), we receive financial assistance and backing.
• In partnership with MDA, we developed tailored midwifery responses for unique pregnancy cases, providing specialized equipment for emergency scenarios.
• The regional councils in the north have played a crucial role in reaching pregnant women across various settlements, enabling us to recruit participants and provide customized support.

The project is offered to women at no cost, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. 

As the war continues without a clear end in sight, we invite all women to join the project. We are committed to continuously refining our response and supporting midwives and birthing mothers in the northern region.