NCT Celebrates 60th Anniversary of NHS

Released on 01/07/2008

NCT Celebrates 60th Anniversary of NHS

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive, NCT, said:

“Along with improving nutrition and health of the female population, the NHS has helped to bring down the death rate of mothers and babies by making sure a trained midwife was there for every woman who was due to give birth and ensuring medical care was there when needed.

Early in the NHS’s history, intervention rates were low and normal births were in the majority. However, the move of birth into hospital, driven by an incorrect analysis of the safety of birth at home, meant that care became fragmented and increasingly medicalised. Choice has been minimal and support of women in labour has not always been the priority of services.

The NCT was set up to improve the services for women and their families. The NHS is gradually changing its services to recognise the importance of warm and supportive care that preserves the dignity of women. Good care gives women the best chance of a normal birth while also providing for those women and babies with medical problems.

The NHS is at last correcting the myth that home birth is dangerous. There is a long way to go to make sure every woman has a midwife that she knows and trusts during her labour.

Birth is a once or twice in a lifetime event and the NCT wants women in all areas of the country to have real choice about where they have their baby. This should include their home, a birth centre or in hospital. All women need a skilled midwife known to them so that they feel confident and have the best chance of a straightforward birth which leaves them physically and mentally well and able to take on the challenge of parenthood.”

Statistics from NCT - NHS began 1948

In 1948 - 775,306 total number of births in England & Wales
In 2006 - 626,000 total number of births in England & Wales

In 1954 - 59.2% births in NHS hospitals in England & Wales
In 2005-6 - 97% births in NHS hospitals in England & Wales

In 1954 - 34% of births at home in England & Wales
In 2006 - 2.6% of births at home in England and 4% of births at home in Wales.

In 1948 - caesarean section accounted for 2% of births in England & Wales
In 2006 - caesarean section accounted for 25% of births UK wide

In 1948 - maternal mortality figure at 1,058 - England & Wales
In 2003-5 - maternal mortality figure at 295 of more than 2 million births between 2003-5; 132 direct causes - 163 indirect causes - UK wide.

In 2007 -

Although, 97% women had a partner with them during labour or birth, about a quarter of women were without a midwife and were worried by this.

21% were not always treated with respect and dignity and 23% were not always treated with kindness and understanding. 18% were not always spoken to in a way they could understand.

Only one in five women had the same midwife thought their labour although about half of all labours were less than eight hours long.

References

1. Birth Counts, Statistics of pregnancy and birth, HMSO books.
2. CEMACH Saving Mothers Live 2003-05
3. Healthcare Commission Report 2007

History of NCT

The NCT was founded as the Natural Childbirth Association by Prunella Briance in 1956.

From day one, campaigning for better rights and facilities for pregnant women and new parents has been at the heart of what NCT is about.

By 1961, the Association had become the National Childbirth Trust, a registered charity. During the mid to late 1960s, NCT teachers campaigned to allow fathers into the delivery room. However, it was not until the mid 1970s that it became common place.

In 1974, NCT became increasingly concerned that women were being induced to suit the working hours of health professionals. This was followed by a concerted campaign by NCT and others to highlight the rising induction rate - which had reached 30% nationally in the mid 70s, but was much higher in some hospitals.

Shaving and enemas had been common-place in most hospitals until the early 1980s when there was increasing evidence that shaving didn't have any effect on reducing infection and enemas were objected to by more and more women. NCT campaigning ensured that both practices were ended by the mid 1980s.

It was also around the same time that lying down was questioned as the only position for giving birth, with doctors admitting that it was more for their convenience than anything else.

As early as the 1980s, NCT became concerned about rising caesarean rates. NCT has campaigned to raise awareness of caesarean section as a public health issue and for action to reduce unnecessary surgeries.

NCT today campaigns for women to have choice of place of birth and to be supported throughout their pregnancy and birth by skilled midwives trained in supporting women to have as straightforward a birth as possible.

The NCT is the UK's leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood - we're with parents all the way from bump to baby. The NCT is a trusted charity that provides expert-led classes, evidence based information and practical and emotional support through 300 UK-wide branch networks and we campaign for better maternity care.

ENDS

For further press information contact the NCT press office. ISDN line available.

Notes to Editors

The NCT is the UK's leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Every year the charity supports thousands of parents through an incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information and mutual support through our network of over 300 local branches, UK wide helplines, antenatal and early days courses, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes.

Operating for over 50 years, the NCT is recognised as the voice of pregnant women and new parents throughout the UK. The charity works continuously for improvements to maternity care and better services and facilities for new parents. We are viewed by many as independent experts in matters relating to pregnancy, birth and early parenthood and are an influential and trusted advisor to UK governments, royal colleges, private sector bodies and other charities. For further information call NCT Enquiries on 0300 330 0770 or visit www.nct.org.uk

Contact

Press Office
Email: press@nct.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8752 2004 (out of hours 07722 839 428)