Background and Objective: Midwives are critical for quality maternal and child healthcare, particularly in underserved rural areas. Despite their crucial role in challenging environments, understanding factors motivating them to work in such settings is limited. This study explores these underlying motivations among midwives in Aurora Province, Philippines, providing insights essential for developing effective strategies to support and retain this vital workforce.

Methods: A descriptive, qualitative design using a semi-structured approach with a purposive sample of midwives was employed. Data collection was conducted from October to December 2024. Analysis of data utilized Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis alongside NVivo software for coding. Iterative process allowed for the refinement of themes ensuring a comprehensive understanding of midwives’ motivations.

Results: Four main themes were identified: (a) motivations to midwifery practice, (b) career path decisions, (c) challenges in midwifery, (d) impact of work, and (e) professional growth and stability. Study revealed that midwives in underserved areas were deeply committed to their communities, facing significant challenges. Their dedication went beyond duty, stemming from personal experiences and a desire to reduce healthcare inequalities.

Conclusion:. Midwives are driven by their steadfast dedication with compassion and resilience in providing maternal and child health services while confronting local challenges. Their experiences reflect a deep commitment to creating positive change in the lives of the families and communities they serve. Gaining insight into these motivations can help enhance support systems for midwives, enabling them to thrive in their roles and improve the well-being of underserved populations

Kristine Joy L. Ricafort-Acera is an accomplished academic, registered nurse, registered midwife, and community health advocate based in Baler, Aurora, Philippines. Dedicated to the advancement of maternal and child health, nursing education, and gender equality, she currently serves as an Assistant Professor VII at the University of the Philippines Manila - School of Health Sciences (UPM-SHS) Extension Campus in Baler, Aurora, Philippines. Her academic journey is rooted in a deep-seated commitment to rural and community health. She spent nearly two decades in academia, steadily rising through the ranks at the of the university. Beyond classroom instruction, she has held vital administrative and leadership roles, including serving multiple terms as the Midwifery Program Coordinator for the UPM-SHS Baler Extension Campus and Bachelor of Science in Nursing(BSN) Program Coordinator. Through these roles, she has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and training the next generation of frontline health workers in the country. Through her core personal and professional advocacies—Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and Maternal and Child Health, she continues to be a vital catalyst for health equity, empowering families and strengthening health systems across the province of Aurora and beyond.