It has been a week of UK midwives in the news. Sunday’s “March for Midwives” has been headline news across many local and national media outlets, even hitting some international press outlets. Organised by a team of doulas, birth supporters, lay-people and health professionals (see Kay King’s blog on this here) vigils took place outside birth units and in city centres across the UK, to raise the concerns of women and birthing people on the stress to and lack of midwives in services. Funding for retaining staff, student tuition fees and the impact on safety was raised. Many present and resigned midwives, online and in person at the events related harrowing stories of experiencing relentless shifts at work, many without time for drinks or food or bathroom breaks or caring for more than the expected number of women and babies. Concerns about safety and the potential for mistakes was mentioned regularly.
A campaign for signatures on a petition targeted to the Health Secretary to urge the government to “support urgent government investment into maternity services to solve the staffing crisis” has now reached over 115000 to date. Referral to the petition was included in many of the “March for Midwives” reports, which should, in turn, reach the ears of the Health Secretary with the hope of a positive response. Back in October the shortage of midwives also reached the long-term radio soap drama, The Archers, with the fictional midwife, Amy Franks having a prominent storyline. It resulted in her resignation from her role as a community midwife due to the pressures.
And midwifery has reached, for the first time, the radio institution of Thought for the day. Chine Mcdonald, Head of Public Engagement for Christian Aid, highlights her experience of being “moved almost to tears by” the kindness of the midwife and her student this week.
She goes on: “in that 20-minute appointment, I felt like I mattered, not just as an expectant mother but also as a human being.”
She continues to describe the tender role of the midwife, likening it to the feminine attributes of God. The role of the midwife is portrayed in this important radio programme as highly spiritual and significant.
This week at the Scotland festival in Edinburgh. we have also heard the experiences of midwives and students and the challenges they are facing north of the border. Author and midwife Leah Hazard addressed the messages she has received from students and midwives and the struggles they are facing (see Midwifery hour Series 5 episode 12 for repeat).
The news outlet front pages have now returned to Covid, but the midwife crisis has not gone away. We can only wait and see whether the focus on midwifery for a week will have been enough to make a difference.
Dr Jenny Hall
November 2021