Nearly a third of women in developing countries become mothers during adolescence

Research by the United National Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency has found nearly a third of women in developing countries become mothers during adolescence. The findings show women in developing countries begin childbearing at age 19 or younger, with nearly half of first births are children or girls aged […]

George Cross awarded to midwives, maternity support workers and all NHS staff

The courage, compassion and dedication of over 1.5 million NHS workers including midwives and maternity support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic has been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen. Today NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard accepted the George Cross on behalf of all NHS staff as the health service was awarded the prestigious accolade. May […]

Water births provide ‘clear benefits’ and a positive birth experience to mother and baby

Research from Oxford Brookes University shows water births provide ‘clear benefits’ to both mother and baby, with less interventions and fewer complications compared to births out of water. The research also reported mothers having higher levels of satisfaction with their birth experience. The aim of the study was to compare healthcare interventions during labour and […]

Breastfeeding boosts brain development for babies with disadvantaged mothers

A study has found that babies born to disadvantaged mothers and were breastfed are better at tasks such as speaking, drawing and comprehension. According to analysis of data of nearly 6,000 babies, it found babies who were breastfed by poorer mothers were 8% better in tests in their cognitive ability of up to the age […]

NSPCC and MMHA calls for more maternal mental health support in Wales

The NSPCC Cymru/Wales and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) are calling for more maternal mental health support for mothers in the country as the only maternal mental health specialist unit celebrates its one-year anniversary. Uned Gobaith (Unit of Hope) Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) near Neath, that provides specialist inpatient care to mothers who […]

Calling members to ask MPs to sign Early Day Motion 199 on NHS pay

Today the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) calls on its members, midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) along with students and general public to support the pay campaign, contact their local MPs and ask them to sign Early Day Motion (EDM) 199 – which calls for a decent pay rise for NHS staff, including midwives […]

More flexible working will support staff retention says RCM

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is encouraging more flexible working to support better retention of midwives and maternity support workers (MSW). The RCM statement comes as the NHS Staff Council publish new guidance on flexible working for NHS line managers and staff. New flexible working rules for the NHS were introduced in September 2021. […]

Closing disparities in maternity care through doula certification in Connecticut, US

The US state of Connecticut is creating a certification programme to make doula care more accessible in a bid to close the gap in maternity care disparities for Black women. In Connecticut, Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die within six weeks following childbirth than White women. A person with state doula certification […]

Midwives welcome increased parental leave payments in New Zealand

Midwives in New Zealand have welcomed the $40 a week increase in parental leave payments announced by the government. The increase will come into effect from 1 July 2022, which means the weekly rate of paid maximum parental leave will be increasing to $661.12, a 6.3% increase before tax. Parents who are self-employed will also […]

Four out of five NHS staff say they would quit their jobs over pay

A poll has shown four out of five NHS Staff (80%) would quit their job over pay, but 79% said they would stay if their pay increased to tackle inflation. The results of the poll have come shortly before NHS workers join TUC’s cost of living rally in London on Saturday (18 June). Over 2,000 […]