Green maternity reading list

Key resources on sustainability in maternity care

How to access these resources

RCOG members members can access eresources directly.
RCM and RCOG members can request free copies from the print collection

Recommended resources

Supporting the Green Maternity Challenge and Green Maternity Conference, this reading list provides essential insights into the environmental challenges and sustainable solutions in maternity care.

This list includes journal articles, policy statements, and research studies from leading healthcare organisations and academic sources.

Journal special issues

Women’s and Reproductive Health and the Environment
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 131(5) Date of Publication: April 2024.
Breastfeeding and the Environment
Journal of Human Lactation. vol 40, no 1, February 2024, pp 33-50.
Sustainability
O & G. vol 26, no 2, Winter 2024. [Australia]
Impact of climate change on obstetric and neonatal health
Seminars in Perinatology Vol. 47 (8) 2023
Environmental sustainability within a maternity context
The Practising Midwife. vol 23, no 7, July/August 2020

Articles

Strengthening midwifery in response to global climate change to protect maternal and newborn health.
O'Connell M. Catling C. Mintz-Woo K. et al.
Women and Birth: Journal of the Australian College of Midwives. vol 37, no 1, February 2024, pp 1-3.
Impact of Climate Change on Reproductive Health and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review.
Papadiochou A, Diamanti A, Metallinou D, Georgakopoulou VE, Taskou C, Kagkouras I, Sarantaki A.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 30;16(8):e68221. doi: 10.7759/cureus.68221
Tiny change - Big impact: How to be a ripple-maker.
Greenstock K.
The Practising Midwife. vol 26, no 8, September 2023, pp 8-13.
The Green Maternity project: A midwife-led initiative to promote correct waste segregation on an Australian postnatal ward.
Vasilevski V. Huynh J. Whitehead A. et al.
Journal of Advanced Nursing. 23 July 2023, online.
An exploratory study of women and midwives' perceptions of environmental waste management - homebirth as climate action.
Paxton TK. Donnellan-Fernandez R. Hastie C.
Midwifery. vol 127, December 2023, 103844.
Climate change and childbirth: does it matter?.
The Practising Midwife. vol 25, no 5, May 2022, p 31.
Breastfeeding and climate change: overlapping vulnerabilities and integrating responses.
Zadkovic S. Lombardo N. Cole DC.
Journal of Human Lactation. vol 37, no 2, May 2021, pp 323-330.
Climate special: new sustainable parenting project.
Johnson R.
The Practising Midwife. vol 23, no 9, October 2020, pp 8-9.

Organisations

International Confederation of Midwives

Strategic Plan 2024-2026. The fourth and final priority focuses on the emergent need to prepare for and respond to humanitarian and climate crises. Central to this effort is ensuring midwives are integrated into planning processes, educated, and equipped to respond effectively, and are appropriately resourced during times of crisis. In collaboration with and in support of MAs, ICM is well positioned to leverage its global partners and advocacy efforts to underscore the cost-effectiveness of continuity of midwife care in the face of emerging crises including those in humanitarian and fragile settings as well as those resulting from climate change.
Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis. The Hague, The Netherlands: International Confederation of Midwives. 29 November 2024. 38 pages.
Midwives: a vital climate solution. Advocacy toolkit and resources pack.
Midwives' Associations Call for Decisive Measures to Reduce Carbon Emissions: Statement on Resourcing of Midwives and Decisive Measures to Reduce Carbon Emissions. Accompanied by Midwives and Climate: A Toolkit for Midwives and Midwifery Advocates During COP28
Human Rights of Women, Children and Midwives in Humanitarian Settings
Humanitarian and Climate Change ICM Position Statement. Last Edited 25 July 2024 02:20 CEST