These photos of midwives and the tiny newborns they helped deliver are truly eye-opening
As part of our Mums Who Inspire series, we are sharing the below photography series by WaterAid. If you have a story that you would like to be featured, email mary.byrne@sheologydigital.com.
Bimola Kobiraz, a midwife, has worked at Dacope Upazila Health Complex in Bangladesh for six months and has delivered approximately 30 babies.
"When I started working here there was a poor supply of clean water and also there was no well-conditioned toilet," the 29-year-old told WaterAid as part of their 'My Midwife' photography series.
"So patients suffered a lot from not being able to drink clean water and use a clean toilet."
Credit: WaterAid/ Al Shahriar Rupam
As part of the series, Bimola was pictured helping new mum Hera deliver her baby boy, in a hospital that has come on in leaps and bounds.
"I used to go to health complex for check-ups once every two months," the 20-year-old new mum said.
"Sometimes I called midwife to come to me at home if I had difficulties.
"The hospital is safe and healthy. All the nurses and doctor were wearing gloves, and clean dresses. Now the toilet I am using is clean which is good.
"The labour room and midwife hands were clean enough.
"The midwife also used sterilizing equipment during delivery.
"The midwife helped in several ways during the birth and afterwards – she gave me saline, medicines in time, they helped me to lie on bed, took care of baby.
"She gave me emotional support during birth and afterwards. She helped me to change clothess and take medicines. I am very thankful for the midwife being there at hospital."
Credit: WaterAid/ Al Shahriar Rupam
The series features midwives, mums and newborns from UK, Canada, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda and Bangladesh, and is part of the charity's push to ensure every healthcare facility has access to clean water and adequate toilet facilities.
The photos are truly spectacular and eye-opening – and show just how similar yet different giving birth is around the world.
1. Midwife Parboti Rani Dhali checking on Shokla Mondol, 19, and her eight-day-old baby; Bangladesh
Credit: WaterAid/ Al Shahriar Rupam
2. Midwife Joanne Yan with newborn Soraia, baby of Colleen; Canada
Credit: WaterAid/ Danielle Donders of Mothership Photography
3. Midwife Helen Faux, 46, with baby James Brian, 1-day-old; Liverpool Women's Hospital, UK
Credit: WaterAid/ Anna Kari
4. Midwife Daniel Paul holds a newborn baby in the ward for women who have had caesarian sections; Tanzania
Credit: WaterAid/ Anna Kari
5. Kennifer Samu, 26, nurse midwife and Ruth Anderson, 19; Malawi
Credit: WaterAid/ Dennis Lupenga
Feature images: WaterAid/ Al Shahriar Rupam