Charity calls for 'urgent action' in maternity services

Jul 10 2008

A charity has called for 'urgent action' to be taken to improve maternity services following a Healthcare Commission report released today.

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) made the comments after the report revealed some women were being admitted to maternity units that do not have enough beds, showers or toilets.

The large-scale review of all maternity units in 150 NHS trusts in England, also found in some hospitals that beds were used for more than one birth in 24-hours and many wards have staffing levels "well below" average.

Mary Newburn, head of policy research at the NCT, said: "Urgent action is now required in some areas as the local maternity services fall short of reasonable expectations.

"All women should be able to expect one-to-one midwifery care during labour; the birth environment should be fit for purpose and postnatal care should no longer languish as the poor relation to antenatal care.

"The report shows that significantly more could be done - and must be done - to provide women with opportunities. Women need to feel welcomed, well informed and provided with both support and appropriate care.

"We were shocked by the finding that one in four women (26.6%) gave birth lying in obstetric stirrups, with a further third of women giving birth lying down (30%), whereas only one in eight (12%) gave birth standing, squatting or kneeling. These kinds of active positions all help to facilitate an easier birth.

"The results of the investigation show that services vary widely around the country and options available in one area may be absent in another. It is important that maternity services work towards enabling all women to give birth with confidence and dignity, and with every opportunity to experience a straightforward vaginal birth."

The NCT helps thousands of people in the UK through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, offering information and mutual support through its network of local branches, helplines, antenatal and early days courses and breastfeeding counselling.