One in three new mothers is left alone during or just after labour because maternity services are overstretched, according to a survey.
The poll of 3,500 mums found almost half (43%) said they did not have access to a midwife after giving birth.
More than a third (35%) of those questioned by The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and parenting website Netmums.com said they had been abandoned during or after labour at a time when they felt worried.
Sally Russell, co-founder of Netmums.com, said: "This survey's results should demonstrate to the Government just how stretched maternity services are.
"It shows that our members want, need and deserve one-to-one care from midwives but they are not getting this and are left alone and feeling abandoned during labour, and especially in the vital post-natal period."
All women can expect individual support from a midwife, supported by a wider maternity team, throughout her labour and birth.
Health Minister Ann Keen
One mother said of her labour: "There were too many people on and off shifts.
"There was no continuity of care, therefore no-one was able to make sound decisions.
"I (had) seven different midwives involved just during labour. I ended up having an emergency Caesarean section."
In 2007, the Government said all women in England should be supported by a midwife they know and trust throughout their pregnancy and after birth.
Ministers promised that "by the end of 2009" women would be able to choose where they give birth and have better continuity of midwifery care.
But the survey found only 68% of women were offered a choice of where to give birth.
Baby buggy
Some mothers felt abandoned
There were some positive responses in the research, including 83% of women saying they had the name and telephone number of a midwife they could contact if they were worried.
And 72% said they had their first appointment with a midwife as soon as they wanted it.
RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick said she was pleased some aspects of maternity services were rated highly but that overall the results painted a "worrying and disturbing picture".
Reacting to the survey, Health Minister Ann Keen said: "There has been record investment in the NHS in recent years including an additional £330m for maternity services.
"All women can expect individual support from a midwife, supported by a wider maternity team, throughout her labour and birth."
The poll of 3,500 mums found almost half (43%) said they did not have access to a midwife after giving birth.
More than a third (35%) of those questioned by The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and parenting website Netmums.com said they had been abandoned during or after labour at a time when they felt worried.
Sally Russell, co-founder of Netmums.com, said: "This survey's results should demonstrate to the Government just how stretched maternity services are.
"It shows that our members want, need and deserve one-to-one care from midwives but they are not getting this and are left alone and feeling abandoned during labour, and especially in the vital post-natal period."
All women can expect individual support from a midwife, supported by a wider maternity team, throughout her labour and birth.
Health Minister Ann Keen
One mother said of her labour: "There were too many people on and off shifts.
"There was no continuity of care, therefore no-one was able to make sound decisions.
"I (had) seven different midwives involved just during labour. I ended up having an emergency Caesarean section."
In 2007, the Government said all women in England should be supported by a midwife they know and trust throughout their pregnancy and after birth.
Ministers promised that "by the end of 2009" women would be able to choose where they give birth and have better continuity of midwifery care.
But the survey found only 68% of women were offered a choice of where to give birth.
Baby buggy
Some mothers felt abandoned
There were some positive responses in the research, including 83% of women saying they had the name and telephone number of a midwife they could contact if they were worried.
And 72% said they had their first appointment with a midwife as soon as they wanted it.
RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick said she was pleased some aspects of maternity services were rated highly but that overall the results painted a "worrying and disturbing picture".
Reacting to the survey, Health Minister Ann Keen said: "There has been record investment in the NHS in recent years including an additional £330m for maternity services.
"All women can expect individual support from a midwife, supported by a wider maternity team, throughout her labour and birth."
NEWS BY:http://news.sky.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment