International day of the Midwife

On International Day of the Midwife, Midwife Jo Watson explains how UK Birth Centres can meet the needs of mums-to-be.

A survey by the Royal College of Midwives and Bounty Parenting Club of over 1,800 women who were pregnant or had recently given birth in England in 2012 showed that at least one in three pregnant women always sees a different midwife despite Government pledges to improve maternity care.

It suggested more than 200,000 mothers-to-be have no continuity of care, although they were promised that one named midwife would oversee their care during pregnancy and after having their baby.

The survey also found that a fifth of mothers – around 120,000 – were left feeling unsupported when they were actually giving birth.

Two-thirds were not offered the chance to give birth in a midwife-led unit, with 20 per cent saying they had no choice at all about where to have their baby.

In May the Government made specific pledges for maternity care, including a named midwife throughout pregnancy and postnatal care, one-to-one care in labour and the ‘best choice’ about birth location.

Altogether, 32 per cent of women said they always saw a different midwife during their pregnancy, rising to 60 per cent in London. 

Cathy Warwick, of the Royal College of Midwives, was interviewed on Woman’s Hour on 24th April 2014 and said the NHS was desperately short of midwives, with 5,000 more needed

She added: ‘The Government says it is committed to providing better maternity care, and we endorse the pledges they have made but action speak louder than words and there is a  pressing need for sustained investment in maternity services and midwives’.

To celebrate International Day of the Midwife, we at UK Birth Centres Ltd want you to know that our midwives are always available for you; our priority is your comfort safety and confidence in the birth process. We never leave you alone in labour at a point when you would be anxious, you will always see the same midwife and have ample time at each visit to ask all your questions. It is our aim to leave you feeling relaxed and safe always striving to eliminate any anxiety you may have.

In short working for the UK Birth Centres allows me to be the midwife you deserve!