The Association of Radical Midwives (ARM) is a UK Organisation for Midwives, Doulas, Mothers, and anyone concerned with the health of maternity services. ARM was created in 1976, and is a registered charity. Its founding members were concerned at the increasing medical intervention of childbirth, and used the initials of 'Artificial Rupture of Membranes', a procedure which was becoming more common. ARM produces the quarterly journal 'Midwifery Matters'. The word 'radical' in the organisation's name, means radical as in 'grassroots', or 'fundamental'. Retainment of midwifery skills such as supporting twin vaginal birth, breech vaginal birth, and home birth are a focus of the group,as is the sharing of information, and assisting women with choice and continuity. The ARM has members within the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Association for the Improvement of maternity Services (AIMS), and The Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Its members include Mary Cronk MBE, currently working independently, and author Sheila Kitzinger. Along with Jane Evans, Cronk holds workshops in the UK for Midwives and Student Midwives. The Association of Radical Midwives website holds a great deal of information on pregnancy and birth, including articles and discussion and links to other maternity groups. The ARM also run groups around the UK who meet on an ad-hoc basis formally and informally to discuss maternity issues. [1]
