The Better Birthing Experience conference is a 2-day conference focused on listening to women’s voices to promote natural, safe, and positive birth experiences for all women.

Fernandez Hospital Educational and Research Foundation (FHERF) hosted the ‘Better Birthing Experience Conference’ on November 4 and 5 in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA). The first-of-its-kind conference in India was held at Hotel Marigold, Hyderabad. The primary objective of the conference was to raise awareness of the critical issue of improving the experiences of mothers during pregnancy, labour and childbirth by reducing unnecessary medical interventions including C-sections.

‘The Better Birthing Experience’ conference is focused on listening to women’s voices to promote natural, safe, and positive birth experiences. Women from diverse backgrounds with varied birthing experiences will share their views on different aspects of birthing. It will host obstetricians, gynaecologists, post-graduates, nurses, midwives, childbirth educators and anyone interested in improving birthing practices in India. The two-day programme facilitated by eminent faculty from across the globe featured a series of immersive workshops, paper presentations, special talks, and panel discussions, all centred around fostering a positive birthing experience and reducing unnecessary medical interventions.

During the conference, Dr Evita Fernandez, Managing Trustee – FHERF, expressed pride and enthusiasm about hosting the conference. She emphasised the importance of delivering high-quality maternal and child healthcare to all patients. She said “Empowering women with knowledge and giving them a voice in their birthing experiences is the cornerstone of safer and more positive childbirth. The Better Birthing Experience conference is a crucial step towards reducing unnecessary medical interventions and ensuring that every woman in India has the opportunity for a positive birthing experience. Let us listen to women’s voices and create a future where maternal and child health outcomes are truly better.”

The conference provided a platform for attendees to connect and learn from the best in the industry. It helped foster partnerships and collaborations to drive positive change in the field of maternal healthcare.

Fernandez has been at the forefront of improving birthing practices in India through several initiatives such as the introduction of midwifery training and capacity building, natural birthing, introducing birth companions during labour and childbirth, childbirth education, and several other maternal and neonatal interventions to improve outcomes for mothers and newborns since its inception in 1947.