New research from NCT brings together the voices of 2,000 new and expectant parents to reveal the realities of pregnancy, birth and life with a newborn - and what urgently needs to change.
Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood should be safe and supported. Yet too many parents don’t experience this at a time when care matters most.
With a National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation underway in England, and a Maternity and Neonatal Assurance Assessment taking place in Wales, this is a critical moment to listen to women and parents. Listening to a diversity of experiences is central to understanding what is working - and what is not.
This report provides vital evidence to inform change.
NCT’s report is based on a UK-wide survey of:
Together, their experiences paint a clear - and often challenging - picture of navigating pregnancy, birth and early parenthood in the UK today.
Most women and people who have given birth reported a positive experience (72%). But people also shared concerns about safety, lack of choice and informed decision-making.
Some pregnant women and new parents felt they lacked access to personalised care and genuine choice.
One in five women and people who had given birth:
While most parents said they enjoyed the early days with their new baby, many felt under enormous strain during the postnatal period.
The report also highlights stark and persistent inequalities in maternity and postnatal care.
Parents from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds – including Black, Asian and mix-heritage women and parents – were significantly more likely to worry about safety and about how they would be treated by healthcare professionals.
Financial insecurity further compounded these experiences. Nearly half of parents (48%) said they were struggling more financially after having a baby, with those on lower incomes or not in full time work facing the greatest challenges.
LGBTQIA+ parents also reported poorer experiences.
NCT’s vision is for a maternity, neonatal and postnatal care system which is safe, personalised, equitable, and centred on the experiences of pregnant women and parents.
Based on what parents told us, NCT sets out ten clear recommendations for the NHS and Government, including:
Your real experiences, shared through our channels, raises awareness of the issues parents face, and can make a meaningful difference for other families.
You can submit a written testimonial or choose to speak with a member of our team. If you want to share your story with us, please email stories@nct.org.uk.