Kabul, Afghanistan – For 32-year-old Zahera, childbirth had always been a cause of fear. Already a mother of three, her memories of previous deliveries—one at home and two in hospitals—were clouded by anxiety and pain. With each pregnancy, the emotional toll grew heavier.
Now living in Kabul and expecting her fourth child, Zahera found herself gripped by dread. But this time, she chose a different path.
Encouraged by friends, Zahera sought care at a Midwife-Led Maternity Care Centre (MLMCC), which is supported by UNFPA with funding from the European Union. These centres offer more than just medical care; they provide personalized, respectful, and compassionate support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
Compassionate care
From the moment Zahera stepped into the MLMCC, she felt the difference. She was greeted by a midwife, whose calm presence and warm smile made an immediate impact. “She didn’t just treat me like a patient,” Zahera recalls. “She treated me like a sister.”
At the MLMCC, midwives lead the entire birthing process, offering continuous care that centres women’s voices, choices, and comfort. They monitor the health of mother and baby, manage normal deliveries, and provide emotional and psychological support, referring complex cases to higher-level health facilities when needed.
Zahera’s delivery was different from any she had experienced. Surrounded by skilled midwives who reassured her at every step, she gave birth naturally to a healthy baby girl. The pain was still there, but not the fear.
“This is the first time I felt strong, not afraid,” Zahera whispered, cradling her newborn. “I trusted myself because someone believed in me.”
The MLMCC where Zahera gave birth is one of several across Afghanistan helping transform maternal health services in underserved areas. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the Centre has served more than 26,000 women and supported 2,355 safe deliveries—each one guided by a trained birth attendant.
Beyond the numbers, the impact is deeply personal. For Zahera, her experience has sparked a new sense of purpose. She now speaks with other women in her family and community, encouraging them to seek midwife-led care and reminding them that childbirth can be a moment of strength, not fear.
