In the hills of Arusha, Tanzania, a quiet but powerful revolution in maternity care is taking root. At the heart of it is Agnes Ndunguru, founder of Audentia Maternity and Tanzania’s first Waterbirth International–certified midwife. Known on social media as @midwifeaggie, Agnes is redefining the experience of birth for families across East Africa—one gentle, water-supported birth at a time.
Agnes’s journey began with a deep commitment to offering Tanzanian women more than clinical procedures—she wanted to offer dignity, choice, and compassionate care. At Audentia Maternity, her vision came to life.
Under Agnes’s leadership, Audentia Maternity has become a pioneer in offering waterbirth services in Tanzania. Collaborating closely with hospitals, the center ensures that expectant mothers have access to this gentle birthing option, which can provide a calming and supportive environment during labor.
Agnes emphasizes the importance of choice in childbirth:
“Waterbirth is not just about comfort; it’s about empowering women to choose their preferred method of delivery while ensuring their safety and that of their newborns.”
Audentia Maternity offers a range of services designed to support women throughout their maternity journey. From antenatal care and professional birth pool rentals to postpartum support and breastfeeding assistance, the center provides both in-facility and home-based care.
Agnes’s commitment to holistic care extends beyond the physical aspects of childbirth. She ensures that emotional and psychological support are integral components of the services offered, fostering a nurturing environment for mothers and their families.
Agnes’s innovative approach to maternal care has garnered national recognition. In 2019, she received the Super Woman Award from then-Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan on International Women’s Day, honoring her contributions to improving maternal health in Tanzania.
Beyond her work at Audentia Maternity, Agnes actively participates in national health forums, advocating for the integration of waterbirth and other innovative practices into mainstream maternal healthcare.
“I believe deeply in the power and resilience of every woman during this transformative journey,” says Agnes. “Every mother deserves dignity, options, and care that meets her where she is.”
In June 2024, Agnes and Audentia Maternity partnered with the Tanzania Midwives Association (TAMA) and Waterbirth International to host Tanzania’s first-ever Waterbirth Certification Training at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Dar es Salaam.
Led by Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International, the three-day training brought together midwifery students, tutors, and practicing midwives from across the country. The hands-on program focused on the physiology, safety, and implementation of waterbirth within both hospital and community settings.
According to TAMA:
“This training encompassed essential aspects of water birth and hands-on practice sessions, enriching the experience for all participants and offering valuable insights in a specialized area of maternity care.”
— Tanzania Midwives Association
TAMA, established in 1980, is the national professional association dedicated to promoting and protecting midwifery in Tanzania. Their advocacy and collaboration with global partners, like Waterbirth International, continues to raise the standard of maternal and newborn care nationwide.
Barbara Harper returned to East Africa in December 2024, this time joining forces with Wajamama Foundation and Audentia Maternity for a Gentlebirth Training in Zanzibar.
This full-day session welcomed nurse-midwives, doctors, and clinical facilitators from across Zanzibar. Hosted by Wajamama, a nonprofit organization committed to culturally sensitive, holistic maternal health, the training focused on psychological safety, trauma-informed care, and empathy-based practices in labor and birth. Using simulations and facilitated discussions, Barbara and Agnes introduced tools and techniques for applying gentle birth principles in both rural and clinical environments.
“Healthcare providers ranging from nurse-midwives to doctors came together to learn from thoughtful experts. Using facilitated discussions and simulation-based learning, participants learned about key topics such as water births and the importance of psychological and empathetic support.”
— Wajamama Foundation on Instagram
Wajamama operates a holistic health center in Zanzibar and leads community-based programs supporting women through every stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. Their work uplifts local knowledge, supports midwives, and brings modern tools into traditional spaces.
Agnes’s leadership is inspiring a new generation of Tanzanian midwives to integrate waterbirth and holistic care into their practice. Her partnership with Barbara Harper and organizations like TAMA and Wajamama underscores what’s possible when local innovation meets global collaboration.
From the birth pool to the training classroom, Agnes is proving that transformation doesn’t require enormous systems—it just requires courageous people, committed to gentle, respectful care.
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