Suffolk midwife on what is needed for a positive birth

Monday saw the launch of the first ever Birth Trauma Inquiry which called for many improvements to stop mothers experiencing a “postcode lottery” when it comes to maternity care. 

According to the report, one in 20 women who give birth each year will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after giving birth. This amounts to 30,000 women.

One in three will “experience birth as traumatic”.

The inquiry received over 1,300 submissions from people who had experienced traumatic births, and almost 100 submissions from maternity professionals.

The report makes for sobering reading and describes the stories parents told as “harrowing”.

The inquiry made a raft of recommendations including the creation of a national strategy to improve care, the recruitment and retention of midwives and standardise postnatal services for women to speak about childbith experiences.

Conservative MP Theo Clarke speaking in the House of Commons, London, during a backbench debate on birth trauma. Image: PA (Image: PA)Bethany Rose Woodger is an independent midwife based in Hadleigh. Image: Bethany Rose Woodger (Image: Bethany Rose Woodger)

Last year nitrous oxide was suspended at Ipswich Hospital for several months which caught many mums-to-be unaware.

A number of women spoke of their concerns as they were unaware of the shortages before their baby's birth.

For Suffolk midwife Bethany Rose Woodger she said it is important that the report is used to highlight the need for change. 

Since December last year, Mrs Woodger has worked as an independent midwife, supporting families in Suffolk as well as parts of Norfolk and Essex. She qualified as a midwife in 2016 and has worked both for the NHS and independently.

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Having sufficient time to spend with clients, both during their births and throughout their pregnancies, is one of the most vital components to having a positive birth experience, Mrs Woodger explained, whether that is in a hospital setting or at home.

While a hospital midwife may want to spend more time with mothers-to-be and working on a busy labour ward supporting multiple mothers makes this challenging.

Bethany Rose Woodger holding her daughter, who was born in 2021. Image: Bethany Rose Woodger (Image: Bethany Rose Woodger)This report on birth trauma is the first of its kind. Image: PA (Image: PA)

“Ultimately, I get to spend more time with my clients. I can give appointments from anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours, versus a 20-minute clinical appointment,” Mrs Woodger explained.

These longer appointments allow for in-depth conversations with clients about what they need, so that by the time they come to give birth, she knows their birth plan “inside out”.

It also allows for continuity of care, which Mrs Woodger describes as the “gold standard” for midwifery.

Her own daughter arrived in 2021 and was born in Hampshire.

While Mrs Woodger said that her pregnancy care was exemplary, the birthing experience left her with a degree of trauma.

Her birth resulted in a lengthy hospital stay – something which she did not want, especially as a first-time mum.

A comment made by a doctor stuck out in her mind.

“One part of my birth plan was that I did not want forceps to be used,” she explained. “But the doctor said, ‘I’m going to do whatever I need to get this baby out’”.

Although the forces were not used, these were frightening words for Mrs Woodger to hear in such a vulnerable position, and birthing partners do not always have the knowledge and understanding of how to advocate in situations such as this.

Another aspect of midwifery that needs to change is the ‘one size fits all’ approach, Mrs Woodger explained. While of course emergencies can happen, she said that many emergencies are created through unnecessary interventions.

For example, many women whose pregnancies go beyond 41 weeks will be offered an induction, which is what happened to Mrs Woodger. This is to combat the chances of a stillbirth.

However, Mrs Woodger explained that not every woman whose pregnancy goes beyond 41 weeks will need to be induced, and an individual approach should be taken.

Overall, she is hopeful that this report will highlight the need for continuity of care in midwifery, and the necessity for midwives to be given the time they need to support women during their births and pregnancies.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said she knew there is much work to do to deliver the findings.

She said; “And I also want to be clearer to mums and those looking after them what their rights and expectations should be, so that everybody can be clear about the standard of care that mums deserve. So watch this space.”