‘My baby’s smile pulled me back and reminded me I needed to keep going’
When it comes to perinatal mental health, lived experience can be one of the most powerful tools for change. For many midwives, the journey into supporting others begins with their own experience of struggling in silence. As the Royal College of Midwives launches its Perinatal Mental Health Roadmap calling for fair, consistent care across the […]
Royal College of Midwives warns postcode lottery is putting mothers’ mental health at risk
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling for urgent action to end the postcode lottery in perinatal mental health care across the UK. On World Mental Health Day (10 October), the RCM is launching a new roadmap calling for improvements to perinatal mental health care, as it emerges that: One in four women experiences […]
Stress and Burnout in Midwifery: Search Pack of the Month, October
To mark World Mental Health Day 2025, MIDIRS Search Pack of the Month for October is M10: Stress and Burnout in Midwifery. Friday 10 October is World Mental Health Day, a reminder not only of the vital role midwives and maternity professionals play in supporting parents’ mental wellbeing, but the importance of looking after their […]
Urgent action needed to address inequalities in maternity outcomes for Black women says RCM
“Shocking inequalities in outcomes for Black women in maternity care must be addressed urgently”, says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) following an inquiry and publication of a report by The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee on Black Maternal Health. The report found systemic failings in leadership, training and ethnicity data collection […]
RCM calls for investment in maternity services as new report highlights shifting birth trends
A new report published today (11 September) by the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA) has highlighted significant changes in how women are giving birth in Great Britain – with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) warning that maternity services must be properly resourced to ensure safe, high-quality care for all. The NMPA’s State of […]
Celebrating ambulance service midwives on National Emergency Services Day: ‘The clinicians really appreciate our midwifery knowledge and skills’
On National Emergency Services Day (9 September), we celebrate the incredible people who keep the public safe in times of crisis. Among them are midwives like Lisa Smith and Aimee Humphreys, who have taken their skills into the ambulance service – supporting paramedics, ambulance clinicians, women and babies in the most urgent and unpredictable moments. […]
‘I tell myself I’m going to have a good day – and it works!’: Midwifery student shares advice for those starting their journey
For many new student midwives, September marks the start of an exciting journey into a rewarding profession. But while anticipation is high, it’s natural to feel nervous about what’s ahead. To help ease those first-days nerves, Sheffield Hallam second-year student midwife Khadijah Madden has shared her reflections and advice for those just beginning their training. […]
Support for midwives as NHS autumn vaccine rollout begins
As the NHS launches its autumn vaccination programme, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is providing members with support, practical tools and evidence-based information to help them respond confidently to questions from women in their care. This autumn, the NHS is offering flu and RSV vaccines to pregnant women. However, for the first time since […]
Balance between women’s choices and midwives’ safety must be paramount in application of new NMC principles
New principles published today by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for supporting women’s choices in maternity care are a step forward in bringing much-needed clarity, consistency and confidence to practice, according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The new principles, which involved input from the RCM, have been designed to help midwives and […]
Watch RCM webinar featuring RSV vaccine guidance and advice for midwives
Supporting women to make informed choices about their care is a fundamental element of being a midwife, and support around vaccination is an important part of that. Midwives are often the trusted professionals that pregnant women turn to for advice about vaccination, so ensuring you’ve got all the most up-to-date information is vital. Royal College […]