Maternity & Midwifery Forum

Lithotomy Challenge – do you know how it feels? 

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

Debra
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......
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Birth Trauma – the train has left the station

Debra
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......
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Chief Midwife for the ICM: Reflections and insights

Debra
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......
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Midwifery at UNESCO: celebrating and lifting-up

Debra
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......
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Understanding sexual offences and referral pathways for midwives

Debra
Midwives work in many settings– Rachel Murray, Clinical Nurse- Midwife manager and Forensic Midwife Examiner for sexual offences, Bristol, shares information around sexual offences and why midwives should be aware of referral pathways. NB: trigger warning. The article contains some graphic detail.   _________________________________________________ Understanding Sexual offences and referral pathways for......
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Things can get better

Debra
2023 was a challenging year for maternity and midwifery services in the UK globally. Neil Stewart, Editorial Director for the maternity and midwifery forum reflects on what has been happening and looks forward to things improving in 2024.  _________________________________________________ So farewell to 2023, a depressing year for the standing of......
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… and welcome 2024! 

Debra
Maternity and Midwifery Hour is a regular weekly online event available live and on-demand, discussing all things midwifery! It is now entering its ninth season. Sue Macdonald, as curator for both the Maternity and Midwifery festivals and Midwifery Hour, reflects on the last year, and the one just beginning. _________________________________________________......
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Black and Asian women’s experiences of stillbirth or neonatal death: The MBRRACE-UK Perinatal confidential Enquiry

Debra
  This week MBRRACE-UK has released a new Perinatal Confidential Enquiry, which is an overview of comparison of care reviews at MBRRACE, for Black and Asian women who have experienced a still birth or neonatal death in comparison to their white counterparts (Draper et al 2023). Benash Nazmeen, Assistant Professor......
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#Saynotobullyinginmidwifery

Debra
  At the end of November the #Saynotobullyinginmidwifery anti bullying Facebook support group published a report/book containing accounts from the group members after being asked the question “Why do Midwives leave?” Amanda Burleigh, on behalf of the authors, shares the background to the project. _________________________________________________ The #Saynotobullyinginmidwifery Facebook group was......
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