Bouaké – Every day, at the Belleville Urban Health Center in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, Aïssata Coulibaly supports childbirth. A certified midwife for nine years, she is one of those health professionals whose daily commitment makes a difference for women and newborns.

Through her daily work, Coulibaly embodies a profession that combines technical expertise with human connection. Each interaction with a woman is unique and requires attention, listening and adaptation. It is in this diversity of everyday practice that the midwife deploys her skills, meeting women’s needs as closely as possible.

Being there when life begins
For Coulibaly, the role of the midwife goes far beyond the delivery room. She supports women long before birth and well after. Prenatal consultations, childbirth, postnatal follow-up, infant health, adolescence and reproductive age: “We are with them almost all their lives,” she explains.

This continuity creates a special bond. In an environment where some women hesitate to talk about their health or intimacy, the midwife becomes a trusted figure. “We are the women’s ears. We are their confidantes,” she says. Through care, advice, and sometimes simply listening, she plays an essential role in the heart of the family and the community.

Making respect a pillar of care
In 2024, Coulibaly completed training on respectful maternal care—a decisive step in her practice. “It changed a lot in the way we support women, whether in prenatal consultations, in the delivery room, or after birth.”

Respectful maternal care is based on a simple principle: placing the woman at the centre of her care. This means respecting her privacy, providing clear information and obtaining her consent before any procedure. “We explain what we are going to do, why it is important and then we ask for her agreement.”

Some practices have also evolved. “Before, women were forbidden to eat or drink during labour. Today, a sweet drink or a little water can give them the energy needed to give birth.” These changes improve the birthing experience and strengthen trust between caregivers and patients. Since their implementation, the centre has even observed fewer referrals to other facilities.

Handling emergencies without losing humanity
Working in a referral centre means facing emergencies and high patient flow. Stress is real—for women and for the teams. Yet Coulibaly insists on the importance of maintaining a respectful attitude in all circumstances.

When communication is difficult, especially due to language barriers, she relies on colleagues or translators to ensure the patient understands and participates in decisions about her health. “Each situation requires an appropriate attitude. The essential thing is that the message gets through so we can provide care.”

Structural constraints remain a challenge, particularly the lack of space for each woman to be accompanied by a loved one during childbirth. Despite this, commitment to respectful care remains a priority.

Many lives, a big responsibility
“The midwife is also stressed during childbirth,” Aïssata confides. “Because she never has just one life in her hands.”

At each birth, there is the mother, the baby—or sometimes babies—and the responsibility to support each with care. The midwife observes, stays vigilant and intervenes when necessary, while reassuring the woman she accompanies.

When everything goes well, relief is immediate. “It’s a sigh of relief,” she says. “A joy that cannot really be described. You must experience it.” These moments remind her of the meaning of a demanding profession, built on presence and daily commitment.

A profession chosen with conviction
For Coulibaly, being a midwife is no accident. It is a profession she practices with dedication and conviction. “We are at the heart of the family, at the heart of society,” she says. Through care, listening, and advice, the midwife supports women at key moments in their lives.

Her way of working is based on a simple conviction: treating every woman with respect and dignity. An approach she applies daily, strengthening trust with those she accompanies.