The Pancyprian Association of Nurses and Midwives (PASYNM) has issued a strong recommendation against home births without the presence of a licensed midwife, as no registered midwife in Cyprus currently undertakes such procedures. This is due to the lack of necessary support structures provided by the Cyprus Health System.
In its announcement, PASYNM states that according to existing laws, European guidelines, WHO recommendations, and the International Confederation of Midwives, a midwife is the authorised health professional qualified to independently manage low-risk pregnancies, carry out normal deliveries, and provide care to the mother and her newborn in the first days of life, in whatever setting the woman prefers.
However, PASYNM notes that home births are considered unsafe in Cyprus, as the current healthcare system does not provide the necessary support structures to ensure a safe intervention. “Therefore, no registered midwife in the Cyprus Midwives’ Register and no member of the Midwives’ Committee of the Pancyprian Association of Nurses and Midwives undertakes such procedures, as it could potentially endanger the woman, the child, and the health professional,” the statement reads.
PASYNM further explains that anyone claiming to conduct home births without ensuring the appropriate safety measures, such as informing the Health Ministry’s Services, the Ambulance Service, and Nursing Units capable of supporting emergencies, is deemed to be placing all involved at risk.
It also stresses that, under current legislation, no one is allowed to practise as a midwife in the Republic of Cyprus without being registered in the Midwifery Register and holding a valid professional licence.
“If this is not the case, as the Professional Association of Nurses and Midwives, we are obligated to take appropriate action and reserve all legal rights to protect the profession’s integrity and public health. For everyone’s safety, we urge the public to be particularly cautious and to report any incidents of this nature to the police,” concludes the PASYNM statement.
