Creating a bond
More than one in five women and birthing people will face a mental health challenge during pregnancy and after birth, according to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, and suicide continues to be a leading cause of death for women between six weeks and one year after giving birth. That’s why perinatal mental health specialists in maternity […]
Joined-up working
“As a profession, we’re entrenched in writing longhand notes – that’s why midwives love a free pen,” says Zoe Meneilly, deputy head of midwifery at the South Eastern Trust and chair of the expert working group for the Encompass digital platform. In November 2023, the South Eastern Trust was the first to go live with the […]
Come together
The right platform No longer does a community require close physical proximity. Digital networks allow colleagues to connect and share day-to-day support. For certain groups, such as those working in remote and rural settings, this is vital. During the COVID-19 lockdown particularly, student midwives unable to attend lectures or bond with their cohort relied on […]
“If you want change for the members you represent, you can’t stay on the sidelines”
An RCM member came to me because she had quite a bit of time off sick and she faced possibly losing her job and her livelihood. I said: “I really need you to be honest with me and tell me what’s going on, otherwise it makes it difficult for me to build a defence and […]
Perinatal mental health
Maternity professionals have an opportunity to identify women who are at risk of perinatal mental illness and to help them and their families get care. First steps The first step is to reduce the stigma associated with poor mental health. Midwives and maternity support workers should discuss mental health in all care appointments and treat […]
Voice of a mother
Living in temporary accommodation means not having somewhere safe to rest and care for your baby I’m Jenny.* I’m a mum of two and my youngest is five months old. I’ve been sofa surfing since I was five months pregnant because of domestic violence. It’s been really stressful. When you’re pregnant you want to make […]
Voice of an… international midwife
Bobby-Joe Campbell moved to the UK from Jamaica in September 2022 and works at the Countess of Chester Hospital Coming to the UK was a huge change for me. It was the first time I was separated from my kids and I was struggling to communicate with my family due to a poor phone network. It was also […]
Who slips through?
Kristina Goh, midwifery lecturer at Middlesex University, and Bobbie Simon,safeguarding specialist midwife at University College London Hospitals, question preconceived ideas of safeguarding. Safeguarding is a heavy word in maternity. The NMC defines it as protecting people from physical, emotional, sexual and financial harm and neglect. Where safeguarding teams are involved with clients, there are rightfully […]
Working hours that work for all
Fair working arrangements are key to ensuring midwives and MSWs maintain a decent work/life balance and reduce the risk of burnout, says the RCM’s director of employment relations Alice Sorby. Q: I’ve been doing what I can to cover shifts and help out as I know we’re short-staffed, but it feels like it’s happening more […]
RCM Awards 2024
The awards celebrated, rewarded and shared the astonishing work and projects from maternity teams and individuals throughout the UK Excellence in Midwifery for Leadership Kathy Murphy Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Judges said: “Kathy’s leadership has fostered a consistent, standardised approach while enabling the culture and diverse needs of women and the teams in each geographical area […]