Development of midwifery in Hong Kong: a perspective

Authors

  • Lee Man Yeung Midwifery
  • Lai Yin Irene Lee

Keywords:

Hong Kong, Midwifery

Abstract

This perspective discusses development of midwifery in Hong Kong from 2000 to the present, highlighting key aspects of midwifery care advancement and innovation that emphasise evidence-based, holistic, high-quality care.

Author Biography

Lai Yin Irene Lee

PhD, MHA, MPHC, RN, RM

References

‎1.‎ International Confederation of Midwives. Philosophy and Model of Midwifery Care. ‎Accessed 1 November ‎2025. Available from: ‎‎https://internationalmidwives.org/resources/philosophy-and-model-of-midwifery-care/‎

‎2.‎ Chow AWM. Metamorphosis of Hong Kong Midwifery. Hong Kong J Gynaecol ‎Obstet ‎Midwifery 2000;1:72-80:‎

‎3.‎ HASLink. Nurturing midwives to ‘walk with women’. Accessed 1 November 2025. ‎Available from: https://www3.ha.org.hk/ehaslink/issue98/en/os-05.html‎

‎4.‎ Lai CY, Wong MKW, Tong WH, et al. Effectiveness of a childbirth ‎massage programme ‎for labour pain relief in nulliparous pregnant women at term: a ‎randomised controlled trial. ‎Hong Kong Med J 2021;27:405-12.‎

‎5.‎ Lee ILY. Normal birth in Hong Kong. Hong Kong J Gynaecol Obstet ‎Midwifery ‎‎2024;24:7.‎

‎6.‎ Hong Kong College of Midwives. Training: Accessed ‎1 November ‎2025. Available from: ‎https://hkcollegeofmidwives.org/training/‎

‎7.‎ Renfrew MJ, McFadden A, Bastos MH, et al. Midwifery and quality care: findings from a ‎‎new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care. Lancet 2014;384:1129-‎‎45.‎

‎8.‎ Wong D, Tai CM. Simulation training in obstetrics and gynaecology. Hong Kong J ‎‎Gynaecol Obstet Midwifery 2020;20:101-8.‎

‎9.‎ Hui PW, Li RHW. Tsan Yuk Hospital Centennial Commemorative Album. Hong Kong; ‎‎2023.‎

‎10.‎ Lam KW, Wong HS, Pun TC. The practice of episiotomy in public hospitals in Hong ‎Kong. ‎Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:94-8.‎

‎11.‎ Care in normal birth: a practical guide. Technical Working Group, World Health ‎Organization. Birth 1997;24:121-3.‎

‎12.‎ Lai CY, Cheung HW, Hsi Lao TT, Lau TK, Leung TY. Is the policy of restrictive ‎episiotomy ‎generalisable? A prospective observational study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal ‎Med ‎‎2009;22:1116-21.‎

‎13.‎ Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Territory-Wide Audit in ‎Obstetrics ‎and Gynaecology; 2014. Accessed 1 November 2025. Available from:‎ ‎https://www.hkcog.org.hk/hkcog/Download/Territory-‎wide_Audit_in_Obstetrics_Gynaecology_2014.pdf

‎14.‎ World Health Organization. Delayed umbilical cord clamping for improved ‎maternal and ‎infant health and nutrition outcomes. ‎Accessed 1 November 2025. Available from:‎ ‎https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241508209‎

‎15.‎ Rabe H, Gyte GM, Díaz‐Rossello JL, Duley L. Effect of timing of umbilical cord ‎clamping ‎and other strategies to influence placental transfusion at preterm birth on maternal ‎and infant ‎outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019;9:CD003248.‎

‎16.‎ Ghavam S, Batra D, Mercer J, et al. Effects ‎of placental transfusion in extremely low ‎birthweight infants: meta‐analysis of long‐ and short‐‎term outcomes. Transfusion ‎‎2014;54:1192-8.‎

‎17.‎ Raju TN. Timing of umbilical cord clamping after birth for optimizing placental ‎transfusion. ‎Curr Opin Pediatr 2013;25:180-7.‎

‎18.‎ Fogarty M, Osborn DA, Askie L, et al. ‎Delayed vs early umbilical cord clamping for ‎preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-‎analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018;218:1-18.‎

‎19.‎ Sommers R, Stonestreet BS, Oh W, et al. ‎Hemodynamic effects of delayed cord ‎clamping in premature infants. Pediatrics 2012‎;129:e667-72.‎

‎20.‎ Siu BWM, Chow HMT, Kwok SSP, Koo ML, Poon PW. The comprehensive child ‎‎development service for early identification and management of postnatal depression: service ‎‎data of a regional hospital in Hong Kong. Hong Kong J Ment Health 2010;36:‎‎14-20.‎

‎21.‎ World Health Organization. Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. Accessed ‎‎1 November 2025. Available from:‎ https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241562218‎

‎22.‎ Lok KYW, Chow CLY, Fan HSL, Chan VHS, Tarrant M. Exposure to baby-friendly ‎hospital ‎practices and mothers’ achievement of their planned duration of breastfeeding. BMC ‎‎Pregnancy Childbirth 2020;20:261.‎

‎23.‎ Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association. World Breastfeeding Week ‎‎(WBW) 1-7 August 2025. Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems. ‎WBW Annual Survey Summary. Accessed 1 November 2025. Available from: ‎https://www.babyfriendly.org.hk/wp-‎content/uploads/2024/08/2024-WBW-Annual-‎Survey_E.pdf‎

‎24.‎ Tarrant M, Dodgson JE, Tsang Fei S. Initiating and sustaining breastfeeding in Hong ‎Kong: ‎contextual influences on new mothers’ experiences. Nurs Health Sci 2002;4:181-91.‎

‎25.‎ Hinkson L, Henrich W. Intrapartum care. J Perinatal Med 2018;46:571-2.‎

‎26. Mellado-García E, Díaz-Rodríguez L, Cortés-Martín J, et al. Hydrotherapy in pain ‎management in pregnant women: a meta-analysis ‎of randomized clinical trials. J Clin Med ‎‎2024;13:3260.‎

Downloads

Published

2026-03-24

How to Cite

1.
Yeung LM, Lee LYI. Development of midwifery in Hong Kong: a perspective. Hong Kong J Gynaecol Obstet Midwifery [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 24 [cited 2026 Mar. 24];26(1). Available from: https://hkjgom.org/home/article/view/431

Issue

Section

Review Article (Midwifery)