In response to the growing crisis in global maternity care, this chapter argues that compassion is a vital and transformative force in both the provision and the experience of maternity services. Co-authored by Sheena Byrom, Diane Ménage and Jenny Patterson—three experienced midwives with expertise in trauma, compassionate care and leadership—the chapter explores how humanising midwifery work through compassion can address systemic issues that lead to burnout, trauma and moral injury. Jenny Patterson begins by examining the often-overlooked trauma experienced by maternity care providers, drawing on emerging research that highlights the prevalence of post-traumatic stress and secondary trauma among midwives and obstetricians. She explores how unsupported trauma affects midwives’ personal wellbeing, professional performance, and ultimately the safety and dignity of those they care for. Diane Ménage continues by defining and contextualising compassion in midwifery, emphasising its power not only to alleviate suffering but to create emotionally intelligent, human-centred care environments. She unpacks the importance of self-compassion, cognitive empathy and authenticity as tools to prevent compassion fatigue and promote resilience among care providers. Sheena Byrom closes the chapter by advocating for compassionate leadership as the cornerstone of sustainable cultural change in maternity services. She argues that leadership grounded in empathy, courage, and relational understanding is essential for nurturing psychologically safe, supportive workplaces. Compassionate leadership empowers staff, fosters connection and enables both individuals and systems to flourish. This chapter situates compassion not as a soft or optional quality, but as an evidence-based, essential component of high-quality maternity care. It calls for maternity services to prioritise midwives’ emotional and psychological wellbeing as a prerequisite for respectful, woman-centred care. Through trauma-informed approaches, relational leadership and a reframing of compassion as strength rather than sentiment, the authors offer a hopeful and actionable vision for humanising birth.