Maternity & Midwifery Forum

pregnancy

Videos

A Gathering Storm: Understanding Anxiety, Worry & Fear in Childbearing

Paul
Dr Kathryn Gutteridge, Consultant Midwife, President of the Royal College of Midwives gives a presentation discussing “A Gathering Storm: Understanding Anxiety, Worry & Fear in Childbearing” at the International Maternity Expo 2019. Find out more about International Maternity Expo: internationalmaternityexpo.com/...
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Midwifery Sector News

“The power midwives have to make a better world, economically and through empowering women, is immense.”

Paul
Brydon Williams, Clinical Supervisor for Midwives at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is also Brydon Williams, midwife, trainer and treasurer for Midwives@Ethiopia. Midwives@Ethiopia sends experienced midwives from the UK to Ethiopia to work with organisations and midwives in Ethiopia. Brydon told the Wales & South West Maternity & Midwifery Festival......
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Midwifery Sector News

“Body image is a stronger prediction of breastfeeding duration than weight.”

Paul
In 2014 the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Government Equalities Office published a report into the effects of body image during pregnancy and post-birth. The report concluded that midwives and health visitors should support women not to fixate on body image and to eat healthily during......
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Midwifery Sector News

Vaughan Gething AM- Keynote address

Paul
After facing down calls to quit in Spring 2019 following a damning report into Cwm Taf maternity services, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething AM pledged to improve the quality of maternity care in Wales. At the second annual Wales & South West Maternity & Midwifery......
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Midwifery Sector News

Healthy Pregnancy Clinic HPC

Paul
Obesity causes problems at all stages of life – so it’s not surprising that it can have a serious effect on the success of pregnancy. Miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth are all an increased probability, as well as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, thrombosis, gestational diabetes, longer labour, and heavy bleeding......
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Midwifery Sector News

“You shouldn’t have to feel you’re pushing your pregnancy aside…”

Paul
“Even when you account for ethnicity, substance misuse, smoking – an out-of-home [situation] or housing instability leads to a low birth-weight baby.”   Being pregnant whilst homeless throws up a unique set of challenges. Pregnant women who become homeless have priority need for accommodation, according to government guidance, but problems......
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Midwifery Sector News

Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome during pregnancy, birth and beyond

Paul
After the actor and activist Jameela Jamil mentioned her Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in an Instagram comment in February and was later presented with an award by the Ehlers-Danlos Society for being a patient advocate, a lot of fans were left scratching their heads. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a relatively unknown......
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Midwifery Feature Articles

Pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work

Paul
Discrimination
Maternity and pregnancy discrimination is unfortunately still very common, what advice can midwives give to women who are experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment? Here we explain how to negotiate an exit from an employer. You can also read our separate page: 10 tips for returning from maternity leave. What is......
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Midwifery Feature Articles

New report spotlights how housing problems jeopardise women’s rights to safe maternity care

Paul
Photo by Johann Walter Bantz on Unsplash
A report published recently by the charities Birth Companions and Birthrights highlights the need for a more proactive, integrated approach to addressing the maternity care needs of women experiencing multiple disadvantages during pregnancy and early motherhood. Through in-depth interviews with women and professionals, the research found that, in almost every......
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Midwifery Feature Articles

More Than Morning Sickness: Understanding Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Paul
When we think of pregnancy we imagine rounded bellies nurturing the baby within, expectant mothers adorned in flowing dresses with cascading hair and glowing skin. For those people who want to have children pregnancy is idealised and we anticipate nine months of radiance and happiness shared with family and friends......
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