Latest news with #maternitycare
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
How a UAE-led humanitarian initiative is saving Afghan mothers and children
When Shazia Mohammadi recently gave birth to her seventh child, it marked a historic moment ‚ not just for her family, but for thousands of Afghan mothers like her — who now have access to life-saving medical care through a UAE-led humanitarian initiative. 'Previously, we only had to give birth at home. But this clinic near our house has been a blessing,' said Shazia. Her husband, Ramadan, noted that it was their first experience to have professional medical care after six previous home births. Shazia and Ramadan are thankful to the Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative (FBMI), a joint venture between Sheikha Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed and Tanweer Investments in Afghanistan. It operates 10 clinics across seven provinces in Afghanistan, serving over 100,000 people through a project that impacts healthcare, education, and employment. FBMI's healthcare network provides maternity care, emergency obstetric services, pediatric care, and free vaccinations. Each facility serves over 100 patients daily, with culturally sensitive care delivered by locally trained staff. Beyond healthcare, FBMI's educational initiatives have supported over 20,000 children since 2010, providing literacy, numeracy, and health awareness programs. According to their leadership, FBMI approaches solutions and impact through the provision of healthcare, jobs and education. Watch the video below: 'These three pillars work together to create long-term stability,' FBMI CEO Maywand Jabarkhyl told Khaleej Times. 'Employment through our social enterprises gives families a reliable income, which supports access to healthcare and education," he added. Since 2010, FBMI has employed over 8,000 Afghans across sectors including healthcare support, agriculture, and carpet weaving. The programme creates sustainable employment while ensuring children receive education and families access medical care. 'The effect is transformative. Employment brings income, but more importantly, it brings dignity, stability, and hope. Families can send their children to school, afford basic needs, and take control of their futures,' said Jabarkyhl. Operating in Afghanistan presents its own set of challenges due to the geopolitical environment. 'The biggest challenge has been operating within the current uncertainty in Afghanistan,' said Jabarkhyl, adding: 'Political shifts, economic instability, and disruptions in infrastructure make it difficult to maintain consistency.' Cultural integration remains central to FBMI's way of working. 'Cultural understanding is built into every aspect of our work, We consult with community elders, employ local teams, and design programs that are in harmony with Afghan traditions and values.' The programme's success has inspired a broader expansion plan. 'Over the next 50 years, we aim to extend our reach to other countries in need,' noted Jabarkhyl. FBMI has already expanded into Tanzania and Zanzibar and looks forward to driving impact in other parts of the world.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm seven months pregnant and scared of the birth. This is what every mother should ask
In 1928, my great-grandmother, Bertha, died from puerperal fever after giving birth. She was 32. Her baby, Audrey, also died. My grandmother, then two years old, was subsequently raised by her aunt. That same year, penicillin was discovered – and in the ensuing decades we entered a golden age of maternity care where the maternal mortality rate dropped significantly. When I was born in 1984 and my mother contracted a post-partum infection, the consequences were very different. Childbirth remains though, a complex and necessary fact of life. Women are not ignorant that it will be painful, that the unexpected will happen, that things might rip and tear. However, today they face significant other anxieties, about the very nature of the care they might receive. Maternity care services in the UK are facing significant staffing shortages, and as a result there are very real concerns about the safety and quality of care provided. Indeed, last year a study found the number of women in the UK who have died during pregnancy or soon after has risen to its highest levels for 20 years. Meanwhile, last year 41 per cent of all compensation pay outs by the NHS related to maternity care, equating to a staggering £1.15 billion. And now, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a national inquiry into maternity care in England, saying there is 'too much passing the buck'. It is in this unfavourable climate that I find myself seven months pregnant. 'Fear of birth' is the label applied by the NHS for those women who are anxious about childbirth. Mine might be more reasonably called, 'Fear of bad maternity care'. Most women don't need to read about the horror in the news, they have friends and loved ones who've been snapped at by midwives, denied pain relief and been made to feel like a failure when they struggle to breast-feed. When GP Clara Doran gave birth to her son 11 years ago, she found herself in a hospital ward at 5am, crying, her baby dehydrated and losing weight, feeling like a total failure. She realised that even with all her medical training, she still needed support and hadn't been told what to actually expect. Dr Doran has written a memoir, Doctor, Interrupted, which is both a powerful and, at times, funny account of the gap between what the NHS says it offers new mums – and what they really get. Of NHS maternity care, she says: 'We do have to have trust that today's health care is guided by the right things. That healthy baby, healthy mum is the driving force. But there are unfortunately, like in any work place, other factors that can influence how that translates to your experience.' So how can pregnant women like me get the best from the NHS in this unfavourable climate? On the basis that forewarned is forearmed, here are the questions to ask your midwife ahead of giving birth. What signs should prompt me to go to the hospital urgently? Blood spotting, baby not moving, waters broken; whatever the issue, this can be a hard question for expectant mums to ask. Darcey Croft is a specialist midwife who helps women advocate for themselves and navigate the maternity system. In her experience, women feel embarrassed because the NHS is so busy. 'They don't want to make a nuisance of themselves, and they definitely should,' she says. 'I would give triage a call to the maternity unit and if you're not getting the right response, insist. Say, 'I'm still feeling very concerned, and I would like to be reviewed'. 'We know that women asking questions have safer outcomes. Even if someone is tutting at them. They will be seen.' Should I request a C-section? Requests are increasing for planned caesareans. According to Croft: 'It is a sad reflection of the confidence women have in maternity systems at the moment.' Every women has the right to ask for a planned caesarean. The reason can be medical or psychological. I knew I wanted to request a caesarean almost immediately, for a variety of reasons. One is that big babies run in my family. I was 10lb 12oz at birth, my poor mother gave birth vaginally. The main reason though is my age. Women aged over 40 are significantly more likely to have an emergency C-section compared to younger mothers. A study showed a 22.4 per cent emergency caesarean rate for women over 40, compared to 6.7 per cent for those aged 20-24. Dr Lucy Lord MBE is an obstetrician and founder of private clinic, Central Health London. She says: 'You can be lucky and labour like a 25 year old, but the chances of that are one in 10. You can be moderately lucky and labour like a 35 year old, but still over half of births in this age group end in a C-section.' She adds: 'If you're under 25, and so is your BMI, and you've got a normally growing baby and no other complications, you can be pretty sure no matter how c--p the labour ward is, you'll be OK.' The subject can be an emotive issue, with a perception that a vaginal birth is more natural. In Dr Lord's opinion good obstetric care is about risk stratification. 'I say to women, don't think with your heart, think with your head.' Not all NHS hospitals are equipped to perform immediate emergency C-sections. So if you're high risk it's worth checking, so you can move to another hospital if necessary. Am I a good candidate for a home birth or would the hospital be safer? One in 50 births each year in England and Wales take place at home. There has been a small increase in recent years and Dr Doran wonders if this is part of a trend towards expecting mothers trying to avoid any intervention. If you are categorised as a low risk, home births are very safe, says Croft: 'The midwifery team and doctors should be assessing to say whether you are perfect for a home birth.' The advantage is that they are less timed than hospital births, where a cascade of interventions can ensue. During a home birth midwives can usually tell which way things are heading before there is ever an emergency, adds Croft. 'Occasionally things can escalate quickly and you would need to get an ambulance.' How will you make sure I'm informed and involved in decision-making during labour? Gathering as much knowledge before labour is imperative. 'I always maintain that women can go through any birth, and come out feeling positive, as long as they feel they are involved in their own care, making the decisions and that they felt listened to,' says Croft. Trauma happens when a woman doesn't feel safe and listened to. Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. 'Every shift will have a coordinator, who doesn't want poor feedback. If you're not getting the answer you want, ask to speak to the coordinator.' Ask how birth partners and advocates are included in labour. 'Women often make better decision when they're supported and feel emotionally safe,' says Croft. Will my birth plan be followed? While it's a good idea to have a birth plan stating your preferences, that doesn't mean your midwife is obliged to follow it. Or indeed will be able to. From medical complications, down to all the birthing pools being full, it's best to plan for the unexpected. Croft advises her clients against writing 'epic novels': 'I always guide women towards condensing it down to bullet points, including what's non-negotiable. That will get read.' However, it is important that you and your birthing partner have talked through all scenarios and you feel comfortable that they're going to emphasise your preferences. When speaking up, Dr Doran advises leading with your vulnerability. 'Such as: the pain you are experiencing. Then it is harder for it to be ignored,' she says. Will a consultant or senior doctor be available if complications arise during labour or before? Yes. Every unit will have a consultant present or on call, even in the middle of the night. 'If it's a birth centre and a midwifery-led unit, there might not be any doctors there,' explains Croft. 'That woman will be transferred into the consultant-led unit.' What if I change my mind about pain relief? Dr Doran says: 'Pain relief will always be available as long as it is safe and appropriate for you and baby at your stage of labour. No one knows how they will cope with labour pain until they experience it so go with the flow and listen to your body. No one is keeping score.' What are the signs of sepsis or infection I should watch for after birth? Early signs include fever and flu-like symptoms. 'As soon as someone starts to feel unwell they should speak up,' says Croft. 'If they feel dismissed, just reiterate, 'No, I feel very unwell.' Ask for a blood test for sepsis. It's fine to ask.' Escalation is important. 'Mums and dads can always ask for that second opinion. And if they don't feel listened to, ask for another one.' What should I expect on a postnatal ward? You're exhausted, you want to sleep and spend time with your new baby. And yet you are on a post-natal ward with five other women with a curtain around them. Home is the right place for a new mum. 'As soon as you're fit for discharge, get home,' says Croft. After a caesarean, try to mobilise as quickly as you can: 'Four to six hours after the operation try to move. You'll still have some of the pain relief onboard. If you lie there for 12 hours and then try to move, it will be a lot harder.' Whether you gave birth by caesarean or vaginally, one night's stay in hospital as a minimum is standard, in order to access breast-feeding support. 'Six hours is on offer but normally you'd have to request an early discharge.' Again, make a nuisance of yourself. 'Use your call bell. The women who are using it and asking for help go home feeling supported. There is an element where mums have to take responsibility or dads have to help advocate for support.' Who should I turn to if I feel anxious or depressed after the birth? It's not uncommon to feel depressed or anxious after giving birth. If you're blue it's important to seek help from your GP, midwife or health visitor. As Dr Doran says: 'We talk a lot about 'getting back to normal' or feel we should be able to master everything we did in our pre-baby life when we become parents. However other cultures see this differently and encourage new mums to stay in bed or at home for as long as possible in the days after birth to rest and adjust physically and mentally to what has happened.' At the core of the anxiety women can feel is feeding. Dr Doran speaks from experience: 'Having watched videos in antenatal class of the perfect attachment and breastfeeding experience occurring seamlessly, when it came to my turn, wondering why my baby wasn't doing this in the same way and being convinced it was my fault.' Take the help and support, but also nourishment of your baby is the most important thing. If this needs to be with formula or mixed feeding, that is absolutely fine and the right decision for you and your baby. 'Don't let anyone guilt you or make you feel less of a mum because of it,' she says. 'These days and weeks are the most exciting and special time, but they can be extremely hard too and fraught with tiredness, fear and self doubt. Take it easy on yourself, what is right for you is right for your baby and remember this is just the beginning of your lives together.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
23-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
I'm seven months pregnant and scared of the birth. This is what every mother should ask
In 1928, my great-grandmother, Bertha, died from puerperal fever after giving birth. She was 32. Her baby, Audrey, also died. My grandmother, then two years old, was subsequently raised by her aunt. That same year, penicillin was discovered – and in the ensuing decades we entered a golden age of maternity care where the maternal mortality rate dropped significantly. When I was born in 1984 and my mother contracted a post-partum infection, the consequences were very different. Childbirth remains though, a complex and necessary fact of life. Women are not ignorant that it will be painful, that the unexpected will happen, that things might rip and tear. However, today they face significant other anxieties, about the very nature of the care they might receive. Maternity care services in the UK are facing significant staffing shortages, and as a result there are very real concerns about the safety and quality of care provided. Indeed, last year a study found the number of women in the UK who have died during pregnancy or soon after has risen to its highest levels for 20 years. Meanwhile, last year 41 per cent of all compensation pay outs by the NHS related to maternity care, equating to a staggering £1.15 billion. And now, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a national inquiry into maternity care in England, saying there is 'too much passing the buck'. It is in this unfavourable climate that I find myself seven months pregnant. 'Fear of birth' is the label applied by the NHS for those women who are anxious about childbirth. Mine might be more reasonably called, 'Fear of bad maternity care'. Most women don't need to read about the horror in the news, they have friends and loved ones who've been snapped at by midwives, denied pain relief and been made to feel like a failure when they struggle to breast-feed. When GP Clara Doran gave birth to her son 11 years ago, she found herself in a hospital ward at 5am, crying, her baby dehydrated and losing weight, feeling like a total failure. She realised that even with all her medical training, she still needed support and hadn't been told what to actually expect. Dr Doran has written a memoir, Doctor, Interrupted, which is both a powerful and, at times, funny account of the gap between what the NHS says it offers new mums – and what they really get. Of NHS maternity care, she says: 'We do have to have trust that today's health care is guided by the right things. That healthy baby, healthy mum is the driving force. But there are unfortunately, like in any work place, other factors that can influence how that translates to your experience.' So how can pregnant women like me get the best from the NHS in this unfavourable climate? On the basis that forewarned is forearmed, here are the questions to ask your midwife ahead of giving birth. What signs should prompt me to go to the hospital urgently? Blood spotting, baby not moving, waters broken; whatever the issue, this can be a hard question for expectant mums to ask. Darcey Croft is a specialist midwife who helps women advocate for themselves and navigate the maternity system. In her experience, women feel embarrassed because the NHS is so busy. 'They don't want to make a nuisance of themselves, and they definitely should,' she says. 'I would give triage a call to the maternity unit and if you're not getting the right response, insist. Say, 'I'm still feeling very concerned, and I would like to be reviewed'. 'We know that women asking questions have safer outcomes. Even if someone is tutting at them. They will be seen.' Should I request a C-section? Requests are increasing for planned caesareans. According to Croft: 'It is a sad reflection of the confidence women have in maternity systems at the moment.' Every women has the right to ask for a planned caesarean. The reason can be medical or psychological. I knew I wanted to request a caesarean almost immediately, for a variety of reasons. One is that big babies run in my family. I was 10lb 12oz at birth, my poor mother gave birth vaginally. The main reason though is my age. Women aged over 40 are significantly more likely to have an emergency C-section compared to younger mothers. A study showed a 22.4 per cent emergency caesarean rate for women over 40, compared to 6.7 per cent for those aged 20-24. Dr Lucy Lord MBE is an obstetrician and founder of private clinic, Central Health London. She says: 'You can be lucky and labour like a 25 year old, but the chances of that are one in 10. You can be moderately lucky and labour like a 35 year old, but still over half of births in this age group end in a C-section.' She adds: 'If you're under 25, and so is your BMI, and you've got a normally growing baby and no other complications, you can be pretty sure no matter how c--p the labour ward is, you'll be OK.' The subject can be an emotive issue, with a perception that a vaginal birth is more natural. In Dr Lord's opinion good obstetric care is about risk stratification. 'I say to women, don't think with your heart, think with your head.' Not all NHS hospitals are equipped to perform immediate emergency C-sections. So if you're high risk it's worth checking, so you can move to another hospital if necessary. Am I a good candidate for a home birth or would the hospital be safer? One in 50 births each year in England and Wales take place at home. There has been a small increase in recent years and Dr Doran wonders if this is part of a trend towards expecting mothers trying to avoid any intervention. If you are categorised as a low risk, home births are very safe, says Croft: 'The midwifery team and doctors should be assessing to say whether you are perfect for a home birth.' The advantage is that they are less timed than hospital births, where a cascade of interventions can ensue. During a home birth midwives can usually tell which way things are heading before there is ever an emergency, adds Croft. 'Occasionally things can escalate quickly and you would need to get an ambulance.' How will you make sure I'm informed and involved in decision-making during labour? Gathering as much knowledge before labour is imperative. 'I always maintain that women can go through any birth, and come out feeling positive, as long as they feel they are involved in their own care, making the decisions and that they felt listened to,' says Croft. Trauma happens when a woman doesn't feel safe and listened to. Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. 'Every shift will have a coordinator, who doesn't want poor feedback. If you're not getting the answer you want, ask to speak to the coordinator.' Ask how birth partners and advocates are included in labour. 'Women often make better decision when they're supported and feel emotionally safe,' says Croft. Will my birth plan be followed? While it's a good idea to have a birth plan stating your preferences, that doesn't mean your midwife is obliged to follow it. Or indeed will be able to. From medical complications, down to all the birthing pools being full, it's best to plan for the unexpected. Croft advises her clients against writing 'epic novels': 'I always guide women towards condensing it down to bullet points, including what's non-negotiable. That will get read.' However, it is important that you and your birthing partner have talked through all scenarios and you feel comfortable that they're going to emphasise your preferences. When speaking up, Dr Doran advises leading with your vulnerability. 'Such as: the pain you are experiencing. Then it is harder for it to be ignored,' she says. Will a consultant or senior doctor be available if complications arise during labour or before? Yes. Every unit will have a consultant present or on call, even in the middle of the night. 'If it's a birth centre and a midwifery-led unit, there might not be any doctors there,' explains Croft. 'That woman will be transferred into the consultant-led unit.' What if I change my mind about pain relief? Dr Doran says: ' Pain relief will always be available as long as it is safe and appropriate for you and baby at your stage of labour. No one knows how they will cope with labour pain until they experience it so go with the flow and listen to your body. No one is keeping score.' What are the signs of sepsis or infection I should watch for after birth? Early signs include fever and flu-like symptoms. 'As soon as someone starts to feel unwell they should speak up,' says Croft. 'If they feel dismissed, just reiterate, 'No, I feel very unwell.' Ask for a blood test for sepsis. It's fine to ask.' Escalation is important. 'Mums and dads can always ask for that second opinion. And if they don't feel listened to, ask for another one.' What should I expect on a postnatal ward? You're exhausted, you want to sleep and spend time with your new baby. And yet you are on a post-natal ward with five other women with a curtain around them. Home is the right place for a new mum. 'As soon as you're fit for discharge, get home,' says Croft. After a caesarean, try to mobilise as quickly as you can: 'Four to six hours after the operation try to move. You'll still have some of the pain relief onboard. If you lie there for 12 hours and then try to move, it will be a lot harder.' Whether you gave birth by caesarean or vaginally, one night's stay in hospital as a minimum is standard, in order to access breast-feeding support. 'Six hours is on offer but normally you'd have to request an early discharge.' Again, make a nuisance of yourself. 'Use your call bell. The women who are using it and asking for help go home feeling supported. There is an element where mums have to take responsibility or dads have to help advocate for support.' Who should I turn to if I feel anxious or depressed after the birth? It's not uncommon to feel depressed or anxious after giving birth. If you're blue it's important to seek help from your GP, midwife or health visitor. As Dr Doran says: 'We talk a lot about 'getting back to normal' or feel we should be able to master everything we did in our pre-baby life when we become parents. However other cultures see this differently and encourage new mums to stay in bed or at home for as long as possible in the days after birth to rest and adjust physically and mentally to what has happened.' At the core of the anxiety women can feel is feeding. Dr Doran speaks from experience: 'Having watched videos in antenatal class of the perfect attachment and breastfeeding experience occurring seamlessly, when it came to my turn, wondering why my baby wasn't doing this in the same way and being convinced it was my fault.' Take the help and support, but also nourishment of your baby is the most important thing. If this needs to be with formula or mixed feeding, that is absolutely fine and the right decision for you and your baby. 'Don't let anyone guilt you or make you feel less of a mum because of it,' she says. 'These days and weeks are the most exciting and special time, but they can be extremely hard too and fraught with tiredness, fear and self doubt. Take it easy on yourself, what is right for you is right for your baby and remember this is just the beginning of your lives together.'
Times
19-07-2025
- Health
- Times
Black women ‘denied pain relief' on NHS maternity wards
Black women are being subjected to racist treatment on NHS maternity wards, the health secretary has said. Wes Streeting spoke out about the care of ethnic minority pregnant women before a new report, due to be published on Monday, which will detail shocking examples of discrimination and poor treatment. This includes women being denied pain relief, such as an epidural, and being told by midwives and doctors they are 'strong black women', according to the report by Fivexmore, a community interest company founded by two mothers in 2019. Its name comes from statistical estimates at the time that black women were five times more likely to die in pregnancy, during birth, or after their baby was born than white women. Today black women are 2.3 times more likely to die than white women in pregnancy, labour and after giving birth, which means one black woman dies in every 3,500 births, compared with one white woman dying in every 8,200 births. Speaking at the maternity safety summit in London on Wednesday, Streeting said the NHS has 'a problem with racism' affecting both staff and patients. He said: 'Stick a race lens on top of it and you find yourself in a position I have been in, of listening to black women whose children have died in the care of the NHS, telling me that when they asked why they didn't get sufficient pain relief, they were told: 'I just assumed you were a strong black woman.' Or the Asian mothers, one of whom said she was accused of being a diva. 'I'm afraid we have, despite the fact that Windrush arrived the same year that the NHS was founded [in 1948], a problem with racism. Both in terms of the experience of our staff and the bullying that goes on in the NHS and the lack of career progression, we also have a real problem in terms of the treatment of patients as well.' One mother told researchers: 'I asked for pain relief but was told they had no gas and air on my ward despite me seeing others have it. They gave me a paracetamol and told me I wasn't in labour. My baby was born ten minutes later.' • One in six maternity units closed in past decade Some women described overt racism from staff: 'The nurses seemed more receptive and caring to my non-black counterparts in the ward. For me, they did the bare minimum … the difference was crystal clear.' Another said: 'I was told I didn't need anything stronger than paracetamol. Meanwhile, a non-black patient in the same bay was given gas and air immediately.' Overall, the study of 845 pregnant women found a quarter had experienced race discrimination during their care between July 2021 and March this year. Almost a quarter, 23 per cent, did not receive the pain relief they requested at all and 40 per cent of these women were given no explanation. While a majority, 60 per cent, described their care during childbirth as good, they went on to describe examples of poor care, which the report authors warned suggested a 'worrying normalisation of substandard treatment'. The respondents were mostly degree educated and had higher than average earnings. Professor Marian Knight, from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, said there had been improvements in the rate of black women dying. She said: 'The rates are decreasing but it is not a statistically significant decrease. The ratio between black and white women is now 2.3 times and that is only partly explained by an increase in maternal mortality rates for white women. So there are improvements happening, but [the rate] is still obviously way too high.' Knight said that one of her bigger concerns was the level of severe complications during and after childbirth experienced by black women, which was 60 per cent higher in black women than white women. Tinuke Awe, co-founder of Fivexmore, said: 'We found 60 per cent of women rated their care as good, but when you dig deeper, the reality just doesn't match. There is clearly a disconnect between expectations of women and the reality of what's happening, and just accepting substandard care and thinking that that's OK. That should never be normalised.' Awe co-founded the company after a traumatic experience when giving birth to her son, Ezekiel, in 2017 and signs of her pre-eclampsia were not acted on. Pre-eclampsia is a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and can be dangerous for mother and baby. Ezekiel was born healthy, but the experience inspired Awe to act. The government has announced a maternity investigation of ten hospital trusts alongside a national taskforce that will be personally chaired by Streeting in an effort to improve care. It is understood the care of black women will feature as a key area for improvement. Streeting has said that improving maternity services is a 'litmus test' for his wider agenda of rebuilding the NHS.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Couple feel vindicated by critical report into maternity care
A mother who played a key part in pushing for change in a health board's maternity care said she felt vindicated following the publication of a report highlighting Channon's son Gethin was disabled due to failings made during his birth in 2019."It's been a long journey for us, battling to get acknowledgement for what has been going on at Swansea. All the way up to Welsh government level we have been fighting."An assessment of all maternity services in Wales will now have an independent chair following the head of the Birth Trauma Association said it needed to take a thorough look at the culture of maternity units. Mrs Channon said she and her husband Rob "have frequently been brushed off" and ignored, however they now feel the health board has added that an unreserved apology "goes a long way to mend bridges with families who have felt adrift".Rob Channon added: "We do have faith that the new leadership want to make change, we just have to give them time. "If they don't make changes, we will have to hold them accountable for that."Maternity services across the UK have come under the spotlight, with the health secretary in England announcing "a rapid national investigation" into NHS maternity and neonatal services, following a series of maternity scandals going back more than a who support families that have experienced birth trauma argue the same mistakes were being made, with little sign that lessons were being learned. Julia Reynolds heads up legal firm Leigh Day in Wales, and as a medical negligence specialist said the issues had not changed in years."I see cases from all of the health boards across Wales and the issues we see are similar," she said."I have significant concerns about the quality of maternity care across Wales."The review of care in Swansea found that debriefs with families and responses to complaints lacked Reynolds said after losing a baby many families struggle to deal with being told "it was one of those things"."While staff might feel they're doing the right thing by potentially offering reassurance to families, what that really does is just leave those parents without answers, and really nagging doubts.""I do believe it's a disservice to families and I think it's really important for families to have answers, to understand what went wrong and even more importantly, for those children to get that early treatment to get the better outcome." The independent review into care at Swansea Bay included testimony from women who felt vulnerable, brushed off when they raised concerns, and as a result felt guilty for not speaking up for themselves women spoke of a lack of compassion, others felt belittled, and birthing partners felt powerless or called for improvements to the complaints process in Wales to make it less rigid and more Bay health board apologised unreservedly "to all women and families whose care has fallen well below the expected standard" and was working on an improvement Welsh government also apologised, and accepted all recommendations in full. Director of the Royal College of Midwives in Wales, Julie Richards, said the written policies, frameworks and statements from the Welsh government set out positive intentions."However, they cannot be achieved without investment and proper workforce planning."Over the past number of years reports and reviews into maternity services in Wales are sadly flagging the same key issues that are impacting the delivery of safe care, understaffing, underfunding, working culture and not enough emphasis or time for crucial multi-disciplinary training."Our members are seeing a rise in more complex pregnancies, with women requiring more specialist support during pregnancy so it's never been more important to get this right." A big theme from the report into care given in Swansea Bay was that women were not listened to."It's very easy sometimes for staff to dismiss a woman who's distressed as being over-dramatic," said Kim Thomas, from the Birth Trauma Association."We hear quite a lot that women are told they're making too much of a fuss. But when they try to remain calm there's an assumption there's probably nothing wrong."It creates real problems for women. This is where listening comes in - if a woman says she thinks something's wrong, then actually listen to her."The issues were all the more pressing given the disparities experienced by black women across the mortality is almost four times higher than that of white women, with significant disparities for Asian and mixed ethnicity women too. Umyima Sunday said she experienced good care when she delivered her second child at Singleton hospital two years ago, but her labour progressed so quickly she delivered her daughter on the ward."Even in pain, I'm really calm," said the 33-year-old, who moved to Swansea from Nigeria to study a post-graduate course in public health three years ago."I would say they were looking at me thinking, 'she's not in so much pain'."But a woman that has gone through that before knows how her body reacts. They didn't really understand that I was really in pain and needed them at that time."She said that while staff were listening, they lacked urgency, meaning no one was there to guide her through contractions and when to push."I just wanted the baby out and couldn't think properly - if I had someone beside me, guiding me through the process, I would have avoided the tears I had during the process." Perpetua Ugwu, 34, also considered her labour to be "smooth and straight forward" for her second child, and "nurses and midwives attended to me very well".Though she was initially told over the phone to "exercise a little bit of patience" when she told staff labour had started."If I had waited a little longer I would have given birth at home. If I hadn't taken that step to go into the hospital I would have delivered at home, because they didn't believe that my labour was there."But I knew what I was feeling and I knew that my labour is not long, it's usually short."Her waters broke in the taxi to hospital and her baby was born around 30 minutes said if she could change one thing it would be to "take away that stereotype of black women being able to tolerate pain more."We all go through labour in different ways, but if someone complains she is feeling pain or not feeling well, the best they can do is give the person attention. Don't let them wait a little longer."
