Connect with QMNC @ NLBC Berlin: Gatherings, Workshops, and Presentations

We are thrilled to be connecting with our global community in person at the upcoming International Normal Labour and Birth Research Conference! We have a packed schedule designed to help us collaborate, share our latest research, and celebrate the incredible work being done by our members worldwide.

Whether you are a long-time contributor or new to our network, we want to see you there.

Here is how you can connect with us throughout the event:

👥 Join the Group
Stay Connected! We will be sharing live updates and schedule reminders through our community platform - join the QMNC @ NLBC Berlin 2026 group here

📲 Download the App
Up-to-the minute happenings. Download the app here

📍 Visit the QMNC Booth
Make the QMNC booth your go-to hub during the conference! We are sharing a table with Science of Birth, so stop by to pick up materials, chat with steering committee members, and learn more about our ongoing projects. Look for a QR code linking to our meet-up schedule and grab information about the Early Labour book.

🤝 QMNC Gatherings, Presentations and Social Events
Building relationships across our network is just as important as the research itself. We are hosting a social gathering to give everyone a chance to unwind, network, and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting.

• QMNC Social Event: Date and time TBA | Location: TBA/check at the booth
  
  
• Research Priority 1, 2 and 3 leads are also hosting meet-ups over the lunch-hour Monday-Wednesday. | Location: Check at the booth for details.
  
  Workshops:
• ✍️ QMNC Writing Workshop
  Join us for an interactive writing workshop on Tuesday, September 15, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Facilitated by Bridget Basile, Melissa Cheyney, and other QMNC researchers, this session will guide participants through choosing a journal, constructing an abstract, structuring an article, and peer review - all within participatory peer mentoring groups. Expect to leave with draft papers and new peer writing groups for ongoing support.
  
  
• 🖥️ Birth Matters: Building Global Research Collaboration, Metrics & Equity Through the QMNC Digital Platform
  Discover how global research networks and digital infrastructure can advance physiological labour and birth research. On Tuesday, September 15, from 4:00 PM to 5:20 PM, Melissa Cheyney, Bridget Ibrahim, and Victoria Keenan will lead an interactive workshop on achieving QMNC's research priorities through the QMNC digital platform. 
  
  
• 🎤 QMNC & Member Presentations
  Our members are shaping the conversation across the scientific programme! We highly encourage you to attend the official QMNC-related sessions, as well as the phenomenal presentations being led by our individual members.
  
  Additional presentations:

• Oral Presentation: Tools to Measure Values of the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care Framework: A Scoping Literature Review
  Monday, September 14, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
  Authors: Bridget Basile, Kimberly Trout, Maeve O'Connell, Mayra Sumpter, Fatima Ziad, and Melissa Cheyney

• Panel: Understanding and Supporting Physiological Labour and Birth: A Theoretical Case for Supporting Physiologic Labour and Birth
  Tuesday, September 15, 10:45 - 12:05 (Holly Kennedy: 11:05 AM - 11:25 AM)
  Authors: Holly Powell Kennedy, Soo Downe, Hannah Dahlen, Maralyn Foureur, Ank de Jonge, Lilian Peters, and Bridget Basile

And do not miss our members' keynote presentations:

• Ank de Jonge: "To be or to do, is that the question? - Maternal and newborn care in the 21st century"
  
  
• Doreen Kainyu Kaura: "The Role of Midwifery Obstetric Units (MOUs) in Promoting Physiological Birth in Africa"

• Mechthild M. Gross: "Upscaling midwifery: Global lessons learnt for Central Europe"

Click here for the full conference programme! And stay tuned for the members' presentation directory.

We can't wait to see you!