Empowering Birth, Ensuring Life: The Midwifery Lab at Rumiya Nursing College, Naogaon

In Bangladesh, where maternal and neonatal health remains a critical priority, Rumiya Nursing College, Naogaon is pioneering excellence in midwifery education through its state-of-the-art Midwifery Lab. Designed to mirror real-world clinical settings, this lab is a sanctuary where future midwives learn to safeguard the lives of mothers and newborns, blending modern medical practices with cultural sensitivity. Here, students master the art and science of childbirth, ensuring safer deliveries for Bangladesh’s rural and urban communities alike.

Why Midwifery Lab Matters

Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality (from 574 deaths per 100,000 births in 1990 to 173 in 2020), yet challenges persist:

• Rural Healthcare Gaps: 50% of births in remote areas still occur without skilled attendants.

• Neonatal Mortality: 20 deaths per 1,000 live births highlight the need for skilled postnatal care.

• Cultural Barriers: Misconceptions about childbirth and gender norms often delay critical care.

The Midwifery Lab addresses these challenges by training confident, compassionate midwives equipped to serve in diverse settings.

Inside the Midwifery Lab: A Lifelike Learning Environment

Our lab replicates the intensity and nuance of delivery rooms, equipped with tools tailored to Bangladesh’s realities:

1. Advanced Simulation Models

• High-Fidelity Birth Manikins: Life-sized models simulate normal and complicated deliveries (e.g., breech births, postpartum hemorrhage).

• Neonatal Resuscitation Stations: Practice emergency care for newborns using preterm and term baby manikins.

• Pelvic Trainers: Teach students to assess fetal positioning and maternal anatomy.

2. Culturally Adapted Training Tools

• Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) Simulations: Role-playing with community members to bridge gaps between modern midwifery and local practices.

• Bengali-Language Educational Aids: Visual charts and videos explaining prenatal care in simple, culturally resonant terms.

3. Emergency Response Zone

• Mock setups for managing eclampsia, sepsis, and obstructed labor—common complications in Bangladesh.

• Training on low-resource interventions (e.g., using clean birth kits in power-outage scenarios).

4. Postpartum and Neonatal Care Units

• Practice postnatal assessments, breastfeeding support, and kangaroo mother care (KMC) for preterm infants.

• Counseling stations to educate families on immunization and nutrition.

Learning Activities

The lab’s curriculum focuses on local maternal health challenges:

• Normal Delivery Simulations: Master safe delivery techniques using locally available tools (e.g., sterilized blades, portable suction devices).

• Complication Drills: Manage emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage with limited resources, emphasizing WHO-recommended protocols.

• Community Role-Plays: Navigate cultural scenarios (e.g., convincing families to seek hospital care during prolonged labor).

• Field Practicums: Partner with Naogaon’s community clinics to conduct prenatal check-ups and health education sessions.

Faculty Expertise: Bridging Tradition and Science

Our instructors blend global standards with grassroots wisdom:

• Cultural Competency Training: Teach students to respect local beliefs while advocating for evidence-based care.

• Low-Tech Solutions: Demonstrate how to improvise with available resources (e.g., using clean saris as birthing mats).

• Policy Alignment: Link training to Bangladesh’s National Strategy for Maternal Health 2021–2030 and SDG targets.

Future Vision: Scaling Safe Motherhood

To align with Bangladesh’s vision of zero preventable maternal deaths, we aim to:

1. Tele-Midwifery Training: Virtual mentorship for rural midwives via platforms.

2. Community Birth Centers: Partner with NGOs to establish model birthing centers in Naogaon’s underserved areas.

3. Research on Local Practices: Document traditional birth practices to integrate safe, culturally aligned interventions.

The Midwifery Lab at Rumiya Nursing College, Naogaon is more than a training ground—it’s a lifeline for Bangladesh’s mothers and newborns. By equipping midwives with skill, empathy, and cultural insight, we’re nurturing a generation of healthcare heroes who will turn the tide for maternal health, one safe delivery at a time.

Join us in ensuring every birth is a celebration of life, not a risk to survival.