Birth Truama: Poor maternity tolerated as normal, inquiry says

[IwantToRetire]

An inquiry into traumatic childbirths has called for an overhaul of the UK's maternity and postnatal care after finding poor care is "all-too-frequently tolerated as normal".

The Birth Trauma Inquiry heard harrowing evidence from more than 1,300 women - some said they were left in blood-soaked sheets while others said their children had suffered life-changing injuries due to medical negligence.

Women complained they were not listened to when they felt something was wrong, were mocked or shouted at and denied basic needs such as pain relief.

A new maternity commissioner who would report directly to the prime minister is a key recommendation in the inquiry's report, along with ensuring safe levels of staffing.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said she was determined to improve the quality and consistency of care for women.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the experiences outlined in the report "are simply not good enough".

It is estimated that 30,000 women a year, in the UK alone, have suffered negative experiences during the delivery of their babies. One-in-20 develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Article continues at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n1jv7xxpwo

Also published today:

Fact Check: Our analysis finds one in nine maternity services ‘double downgraded’ since 2022
https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-our-analysis-finds-one-in-nine-maternity-services-double-downgraded-since-2022

My first birth was NHS and a horrendous experience. Yes there were some good people in the mix but overall horrendous and traumatic. To that extent that when I was pregnant again and I saw things would be no better, we paid to go private to have direct phone access to consultants and sufficient staffing. A choice not viable for most people and nor should it need to be.

@Owlhandbag

Thank you, you sound lovely.

Unfortunately, I really didn't meet many like you with my two babies.

Yes, of course there is more challenge with older women on average and more complicated cases, but I don't think it is just that, tbh. Women didn't expect to be ruined by birth now or in the past, but they do talk about it in a way that they didn't in the past and want help for it - both my grandmothers were young mums of four and both had "women's issues" that caused them issues for years, but both accepted that this was just what it was for them and they had no choice, just as they didn't have that much choice in planning their families either. It's not to be recommended. Women should have aspirations to be able to exercise without wetting themselves and take care of themselves.

There are also certain practices from the past that have been dropped in favour of the push to natural birth - my aunt had two caesarians in the 70s because it was understood that at 5 ft with a tall husband she was unlikely to find it straightforward - when poor Louise Thompson requested a c section for the same reason, she was ignored and now has a stoma as a result of post birth complications. None of the midwives I encountered made any effort to look at my frame, scans of my baby's size or position (back to back) in 3 days of induction - I know that if I had instead been in front of an obstetrician in a private system, this is the first thing they would do. Frankly, it feels as if lots of midwife skill has been lost in favour of putting everyone through the "natural" process if at all possible. What a huge, massive waste of resources. Not to mention the human cost.

In the early 90s a woman in my prenatal group was booked for an elective due to her height and size. I remember she was tiny, maybe even shorter than 5 ft. I met her again on the post natal ward after her section. I suppose I've always assumed this practice of looking at a woman's size, pelvis, size of baby etc. had just continued. Sounds like it hasn't unless it's always been one of those things that's hospital/consultant dependent.

@OvaHere

I don't think it has continued, unless it is set at a really high threshold. (I had a 9lb7 - with a growth scan showing baby was expected to be bigger than average in my notes - very small frame, back to back baby and no one said a thing. Inevitably, I had an emergency section).

(By the way, the midwives do weigh you, but only to work out whether you've gained too much or too little weight(!), no one ever looked at my pelvis)

There are some fabulous midwives out there who really care, honestly and I’m so sorry that so many women have had such traumatic experiences.

I didn’t want to make this post a big whinge fest- I know it’s not all about me and the midwives; I agree things need to change and fast. I just wanted to say I get it, I really do. And I’m sorry

There is absolutely nothing you have to apologise for. It sounds like despite an environment that wants to quash any natural feeling and concern you have stuck to your vision. I am sure many women have been grateful for that extra support you have given.

And I know that although mumsnet has a bit of renown, and of course FWR itself (ourselves) it would be great if that some of the decision makers read this thread.

Not just about how horrible it has been for some women, but that how nurses and other professional just seem so lacking in concern and caring.

How could this have happened?

Obviously we are decades from Nonnatus House with Sister Julienne presiding over a small group of community based midwives, but so sad that this part of the nursing profession has almost become the opposite.

And I have no doubt that the overall pressure on the NHS means that the luxury of a fully staffed, fully rested and supported maternity unit is something most hospitals can only dream off.

Its clear many other departments have also suffered, but for women giving birth to experience this is a negative, even risky setting is just a sign of how desparate times are.

I heard a snippet on the news that based on a recent survey over half of nurses want to give up their jobs.

And at the same time, the NHS can be paying up to £2,000 for one shift of an agency nurse.

Crazy.