The Maternity & Midwifery Hour

This episode focusses on advanced midwifery practice – challenges and possibilities… There has been debate and discussion for many years about advanced midwifery practice – what it is, how to aspire to it and how it may influence the quality of maternity services and experiences of women, babies and families. As midwives in the UK have increasingly developed their proficiencies, skills and scope o...

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) protects the public through regulating nurses and midwives in the UK. Ion the midwifery context this means ensuring that at the point of registration and onwards, midwives meet their requirements, and continue to do so through the process of revalidation, and addressing cases where there is a concern about fitness to practice. The NMC commissioned the review...

This episode focusses on Research in midwifery – a different view. Research methodologies are argued to be Eurocentric and do not cater for non-Western cultures. There should be respect for all knowledge regardless of the source and all knowledge should be valued. Due to the diversity of women and people giving birth in the UK, their views matter but the chosen research methodology may restrict th...

This episode focusses on being Positive about Down syndrome: Highlighting DSUK’s work in Maternity Care. When Nicola’s son Tom was born, she struggled enormously with his diagnosis of Down syndrome, aware that had she discovered whilst pregnant, she would certainly have considered termination. After emotionally rejecting Tom, she has since gone on to realise how ignorant she was and how negatively...

This episode focusses on the needs of neuro divergent pregnant and childbearing women and student and qualified midwives. We are joined by Nicolette Porter who will discuss supporting autistic women and birthing people in the perinatal period highlighting the unique challenges they face and the need for more inclusive, informed support. Nicolette will also discuss a current research project, recru...

Midwifery students bring a special spark, an energy and enthusiasm that fuels their journey and enriches the profession. The Positive Midwifery Project brings together students, practice supervisors, educators, and regulators to explore how best to keep that passion alive, especially through practice learning and into preceptorship. Juliet Rayment and Mira Waligora will introduce the project, shar...

In this episode of Maternity & Midwifery Hour Dr Myrto Chronaki, an Independent Researcher, will present her doctoral work exploring the perinatal experiences of women with disabilities in Greece, regarding birth care and the spaces of birth in the hospital and at home. This includes an investigation into the possible benefits of the birth centre environment and the midwifery model of care and...

This session will focus on the impact of homelessness in pregnancy and the early years. Two clinical researchers will present their recent research into pregnancy and homelessness, and families with under 5's in temporary accommodation. Two keyworkers from key third sector organisations supporting homeless families in the UK will also share their practical experiences of supporting pregnant wo...

Series 15 - Episode 2: Enabling safe quality midwifery services and care in Northern Ireland The Independent Report on Enabling Safe, Quality Midwifery Services and Care in Northern Ireland Report included a careful examination of midwifery and maternity care following concerns about safety of care. It is the first report to take a whole-system perspective and to draw on evidence to inform the rec...

In the first episode of series 15 of Maternity & Midwifery Hour we are joined by Ann Remmers and Laura Lewinson who will share how Black Maternity Matters, an anti-racist scheme for perinatal teams and senior leaders, is addressing the racist perceptions and behaviours that adversely impact on health outcomes. Inspired by Black Mothers Matter’s vision that one day Black mothers will no longer...

This week we are focusing on aspects of midwifery education and lecturers engaged in innovation and research. We are joined by Susan Hughes who is sharing work on the views of midwifery lecturers on homebirth. Emily Bee joins Susan, to talk about holistic and dynamic teaching and learning space, which has been developed at Bradford University to provide midwifery education driven by a simulation p...

This session led by Professor Sebnem Susam-Saraeva and ' Dr Jenny Patterson follows an interactive workshop at the Scotland Maternity and Midwifery Festival this November. Sebnem and Jenny will present a brief summary of a 2022 project on 'Translating Informed Consent in Scottish Maternity Services' , and will then explore some of the themes and discussions that have arisen from the series of work...

Following on from the recent Midwifery Education Conference, attended by over 250 midwifery educators, this hour will map out the current management and education challenges and highlight future developments in Midwifery Education for midwifery educators and policy makers in universities and NHS trusts. Leading midwives Grace Thomas and Nicky Clarke will examine and discuss the rising issues in re...

As part of Epilepsy Awareness month, we are using this hour to focus on the challenges faced by women with epilepsy during their pregnancy and childbirth and how midwives can provide support, advice and care to reduce morbidity and mortality. Kim Morley, midwife specialist will provide an update on care needed by women during pregnancy and childbirth. We are also joined by Catherine Owen, from the...

This week we are exploring an issue at home – the increase in Student tuition fees in England, and its impact on Student Midwives, plus a highlight on the work that the Royal College of Midwives has been doing to support student finance in the UK. And we are finding out, with a midwife's eye, what is happening in Ukraine. We are joined by RCM Director for Professional Midwifery and Associate Lectu...

Bullying and undermining exists within many sectors and midwifery and maternity services are one area where this has been a longstanding problem - often impacting on students, on midwives and women and their care. In this hour we are joined by experienced midwives Amanda Burleigh and Deb Hughes who will share their perspectives on bullying within midwifery, the impact on individuals and on care, h...

With Sheena Byrom OBE and Marie Louise ('The Modern Midwife'). Sponsored by Active Iron.

Series 14 - Episode 6: Midwifery response to domestic abuse As we come to the end of Domestic Violence awareness month, in this hour we explore the difficult and traumatic subject of domestic abuse, which is often triggered or increased during pregnancy and childbearing. We know that midwives are instrumental and supportive to women affected by DA, sometimes assisting them to seek help. We are joi...

Do we really understand the needs of women who may commence their pregnancy who are living with weight issues, and how can we as practitioners support, inform and care for women in a non judgemental and constructive way? In this hour, Julie Abayomi, Reader in Dietetics, will present recent research into the experiences of pregnant women living with obesity, and their access to antenatal care throu...

In this topical session, taking place during Baby Loss Awareness Week, Marc and Lisa will talk about the importance of high quality bereavement care to families after the death of a baby, highlight the role of the National Bereavement Care Pathway and share how Sands can support healthcare professionals in so doing. Hosted by: Hannah Tizard, Midwife, Midwifery Educator, Professional Midwifery Advo...

There has been a long interest in water as a pain relief strategy, and as a place to give birth. The publication of the recent ‘POOL’ Study, led by colleagues in Cardiff alongside 26 NHS sites, investigated the safety of waterbirth for mothers and babies, and adds to the research supporting its use. In this hour, we are delighted to be joined by renowned international waterbirth midwife expert Dia...

Series 14 - Episode 2: Nurturing Connections: Leading Infant Feeding Services, Reviewing Baby-Friendly Evidence, and Fostering Relationships This week's hour will focus on Research leadership of MAINN and impact/opportunities, creating coherence through connected leadership the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, the speakers will share insights into the role of education in supporting and sustain...

Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes Midwifery Contribution from: Dr Anita Banerjee, Obstetric Physician and Diabetes and Endocrinology Consultant Dr Melanie Nana, Obstetric Medicine Fellow, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Supported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠ Register to watch the next episo...

This last in the series Maternity and Midwifery hour offers something a little different. As the summer has arrived in the UK and many of us are getting into the mood for the holiday season, alongside getting our swimming costumes out, sun block at the ready and our attention turns to books. At last we will have some time to read that book we’ve had on the shelf for a while, or maybe you have alwa...

The annual #GenomicsConversation campaign returns 24-28th June 2024, our genomic lead midwives would like to strike up that genomics conversation with midwives, nurses, and other allied health professionals, to ensure that they ‘think genomics’ when they are caring for a patient. This session will provide an overview of what genetics, genomics and epigenetics mean, whilst providing you with a tast...