'Towards Better Births' HCC report NCT statement

Released on 10/07/2008

Towards Better Births - NCT Statement

Mary Newburn, Head of Policy Research, 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 in maternity care.

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.

One-to-one midwifery care during labour is vital, as is birth environment that is designed to help women find comfortable positions and work with labour pain, and preparation talks or group sessions during pregnancy.The recommendations made by the HCC have resource implications also. It is difficult to see how they can all be met, including following all the guidance for antenatal, intrapartum, mental health and postnatal care, if additional funding is not provided soon.”

Further Comment

“There is wide variation between NHS trusts, at least 30 percent of women using Kings College Hospital, Devon Healthcare and Worthing and Southlands reported giving birth in the upright positions, but, at the other end of the scale, there were units where very few women used active birth positions (less than 3% of women in 12 trusts).

Further motivation and training of multi-disciplinary teams is required to promote support for normal labour and birth. Also, women and their birth companions need antenatal education that provides information about the physiological process of birth and practical opportunities for learning ways of helping them to cope during labour.

The finding that a quarter of trusts are providing courses for fewer than 40% of women who want to attend a class is unacceptable.

We backed the Healthcare Commission’s call in January 2008 for all trusts to ensure they supply maternity data so the quality of their service can be monitored in relation to the population served, and compared with other trusts.

While league tables are not fool proof, users of services want access to relevant information so that they can choose which unit to go to or whether to use community-based services.

By the end of 2009 the Government has said that women will be guaranteed a choice between planning for a home birth, to use a birth centre or a hospital maternity unit. The availability of reliable statistics on how units performed is critical for women being able to make informed decisions about their place of birth.

We welcome the recommendation that users are fully represented within the process for planning and monitoring the quality and safety of services, and that the views of local women are gathered.

NCT activists report very wide ranging experiences in this regard, with some feeling that they can make a difference if they get involved and others feeling that mere lip-service is paid to user involvement. A positive programme of initiatives including an interactive maternity services liaison committee (MSLC) website, multi-disciplinary facilitated away-days for joint learning and more active support from PCTs and SHAs would make a huge difference.”

ENDS

For further press information contact the NCT press office on 020 8752 2404 (out of hours 07722 839 428) or email: press@nct.org.uk 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

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