Maternity & Midwifery Forum

Moral Distress/ Moral Injury in Midwives Research Recruitment

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The health inequalities in people receiving maternity services have received growing concern in the country, where pregnant people from Black and South Asian backgrounds were reported to face double to triple the risks of dying during pregnancy [1], and systemic racism has been suggested to contribute to the issue [2].......

Continuity of care for pregnant women with substance dependency

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Pregnant women with substance dependency are more likely to lead multi-layered, psychologically and socially complex lives and can be distrustful of mainstream services. Dr Elaine Moore, a retired midwife from Ayrshire, Scotland, shares some findings from her recent study exploring midwifery continuity of care and its impact on midwife/mother relationships. ......

An Introduction to Reflexology in Pregnancy and Birth

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Complementary therapies are often used or sought by women during pregnancy. Reflexology is one such therapy. Did you know there are different types of reflexology? Expert in complementary therapies Dr Denise Tiran, CEO and Education Director for Expectancy, explains the differences in reflex therapies and how they may be used......

London Maternity and Midwifery Festival Trailblazer Awards 2024

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Last week the Maternity and Midwifery Forum’s London Festival took place at the Royal National Hotel, London. Take a look at the winners from the London Maternity and Midwifery Trailblazer Awards Ceremony. The Awards recognised outstanding achievement and commitment to maternity and midwifery services over the past year across London......

Being a student with emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder

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Midwives and students are all unique and have their own personal challenges and struggles. In this powerful article Gemma Cromwell, third year student midwife at the University of Bedfordshire, shares her story of becoming and achieving as a student with a mental health condition with the support of all around......

Lithotomy Challenge – do you know how it feels? 

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Across the world during labour and birth many women and birthing people are placed into the lithotomy position. In this article Florence Wilcock, Consultant obstetrician Kingston Hospital, London, and podcaster @TheObsPod, explains how she set up the lithotomy challenge to help understand the impact of being in that position. Are......

Aspirin prophylaxis to prevent pre-eclampsia: the role of midwives

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Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a serious condition globally. In this article Dr Cristina Fernandez Turienzo, Midwife Senior Research Fellow, and Prof Andrew H Shennan, Professor of Obstetrics, King’s College London, point to the use of Aspirin prophylaxis and the importance of midwives in promoting its use. __________________________ Hypertensive disorders......

Birth Trauma – the train has left the station

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Concerns about the level of birth trauma women are experiencing are rising, to the extent an Inquiry has been set up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Birth Trauma. Neil Stewart, editorial Director of the Maternity and Midwifery Forum, explores the reasons behind the rise and challenges midwives and......

Chief Midwife for the ICM: Reflections and insights

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We are privileged to have Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE, the first Chief Midwife for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), write this week’s article and speak on the Midwifery Hour. She reflects on her role and highlights the importance of strengthening midwifery across the world. _________________________________________________ As the first Chief......

Midwifery at UNESCO: celebrating and lifting-up

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UNESCO has added midwifery to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Jenny Hall, Midwifery editor, explains what this means and invites us all to celebrate and raise the profile of midwifery.   _________________________________________________ In early December members of the United nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) met for the 18th......