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Questions about Midwives @ the Edges
What is Midwives @ the Edges?
Midwives @ the Edges (M@tE, pronounced "mate") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and global network of frontline midwifery workers, organizations, and allies. It was founded in 2012 as Train Midwives Save Lives by Carrie Blake (CPM, MPH) and is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. M@tE networks, catalyzes, and equips midwives in the countries where maternal and newborn mortality are highest.
What does "the edges" mean?
"The edges" refers to the places where maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity are highest — low-resource, conflict-affected, remote, nomadic, and otherwise underserved regions that formal health systems do not reliably reach. This includes rural and rainforest villages, conflict zones, refugee communities, and maternity care deserts inside the United States.
Where does Midwives @ the Edges work?
M@tE focuses on 30 priority countries with the highest maternal and newborn mortality: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Laos, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, the United States, Western Sahara, and Yemen. In 2025, M@tE delivered in-country training in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Peru. In 2026, planned work includes Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Peru, and a new US Desert Midwives pilot in New Mexico.
What does Midwives @ the Edges actually do?
M@tE operates three integrated program areas: Networking (quarterly network calls, peer-review groups, connecting birth workers), Catalyzing (supporting skilled midwives to live and serve at the edges and replicate themselves locally), and Equipping (in-country training for skilled and traditional midwives). M@tE also works to build the evidence base and share best practices (research projects and publishing papers).
How is Midwives @ the Edges funded, and is it a registered nonprofit?
Yes. Midwives @ the Edges is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 99-1961090. The organization's IRS Form 990 and public financials are available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Funding primarily comes from individual donors and foundation grants.
How do I join the Midwives @ the Edges network?
Any midwife, birth worker, midwifery student, or like-minded supporter can join the network through the signup form at midwives-at-the-edges.org/join/. Members get access to quarterly network calls, peer-review groups, and training invitations.
What is the Midwife Mobile Stats app?
Midwife Mobile Stats is a free iOS and Android app that lets midwives, doulas, and birth workers log the births they attend as a digital birth record — available anywhere, even offline. It also hosts offline midwifery reference material for settings without reliable internet. Learn more or download it on the Get the App page.