position statements
Our position statements reflect the RCM’s views on specific contemporary issues and issues influencing maternity services.
Position statements are updated every three years, or more frequently if there is a policy change which impacts the issues covered.
The RCM’s current position statements are:
Advanced practice in midwifery (July 2024)
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) believes that advanced practice in midwifery expands knowledge, influence and impact across the four pillars of practice.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises (April 2024)
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM) believe that high quality maternity services should include access to preventive measures that promote good reproductive health outcomes for women during pregnancy and post-birth.
Violence against women and girls (March 2024)
The RCM believes that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in any form is a hate crime and a violation of their Human Rights. Midwives and the maternity services have a duty to support each and every individual who seeks help as a result of VAWG, treating them with compassion, respect and dignity.
Perinatal women in the criminal justice system (March 2024)
A specific Prison Service Instruction should be developed for perinatal women to cover every women’s prison in the UK, taking a First 1001 days approach. It should ensure that maternal and newborn health is not compromised by imprisonment. It should include those women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or who have been separated from their babies.
Female genital mutilation (March 2024)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a form of gender-based violence that is outlawed in many countries. FGM represents a violation of the human rights of the girls and women who are subjected to this practice, for which there are no medical benefits. FGM can have devastating and long term physical and psychological consequences for its victims. Accordingly, the RCM opposes all forms of FGM and recommends that the intercollegiate recommendations for identifying, recording and reporting FGM are implemented in full.
Complementary therapies (December 2023)
The RCM acknowledges that many women seek to self-administer complementary therapies and natural remedies, or seek advice and treatment from practitioners.
Nurses in maternity services (October 2023)
The Royal College of Midwives does not support nurses working in areas of maternity care other than the valuable work in theatre and recovery which enables midwives to focus on midwifery care. Recognising the contribution that nurses make to the multidisciplinary team.
Abortion (June 2023)
It is within the scope of midwifery practice in the UK for midwives to work with women who are considering whether to terminate their pregnancy or who have made the decision to do so. Midwifery practice must always comply with the legal framework relevant to the provision of such services.
Reconfiguration (May 2023)
Reconfiguration offers opportunities to innovate and improve the quality of maternity services.
Racism in maternity services (October 2022)
Preceptorship of newly qualified midwives (July 2022)
The RCM believes that structured support should be provided to newly qualified Midwives (NQMs) to practise across the full scope of midwifery practice, including community and Midwifery continuity of carer (MCoC) teams early in their careers. Varied clinical experiences that recognise the autonomy and accountability of midwives may improve the satisfaction, retention and personal development of midwives as well as supporting the national maternity care agenda to improve access to individualised care in all settings.
Safer staffing ( March 2022)
The needs of women and babies should be the primary driver for setting midwifery and associated support staff staffing establishments in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Every woman in established labour should be cared for by at least one midwife.
Caring for migrant women (February 2022)
Migrant women are at higher risk of experiencing poor outcomes for themselves and their babies. Midwives have a duty of care to all women, regardless of their immigration status.
Raising concerns (February 2022)
Racism in the workplace (May 2021)
The RCM will ensure our staff and activists are trained to recognise and challenge racist behaviour and that the RCM is representative at every level of the membership we serve.
Digital technology (March 2021)
Digital technology is not new to the NHS, but it is only in recent years, thanks to improvements in technology and increased knowledge of the benefits of digitisation, that maternity services have begun to prioritise digital transformation.
Supporting midwives to address the needs of women experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (November 2020)
Pregnancy and birth are usually portrayed as happy events, but sadly this is not every woman’s experience. A growing body of evidence suggests that women who experience severe and multiple disadvantage during pregnancy are more likely to experience poor maternity outcomes
Support to Quit Smoking in Pregnancy (2019)
Quitting smoking is one of the best things a woman and her partner can do to protect their baby’s health through pregnancy and beyond. Pregnancy is a window of opportunity for significant health improvement.
Midwifery Continuity of Carer (MCOC) (2018)
This paper discusses continuity of carer and articulates the RCM’s position. The RCM supports the aim that midwifery continuity of carer across the maternity journey should be the central model of maternity care for women.
Infant Feeding (2018)
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life is the most appropriate method of infant feeding. Breastfeeding should continue alongside complementary foods for up to two years, in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UK departments of health recommendations to promote and support breastfeeding.
Doulas (2017)
Detention of pregnant women (2017)
The detention of pregnant women for immigration purposes can be harmful to women and babies. The Royal College of Midwives believes detention disrupts care and places additional stress upon mothers. Many women who are detained may have complex healthcare needs and staff within detention centres struggle to provide care appropriate for this complexity.
