Maternity care:what needs to change, what needs to be protected?Learning from a Local ServiceHannah Sherlock NCT Rep and MSLC Chair, Brighton & Hove

What needs protecting in Brighton and Hove ?

• Plans for Midwifery Led Unit

• Maternity Commissioner

• Maternity Services Liaison Committee

• Breastfeeding Peer Support Training programme

• Homebirth Service

Brighton and Hove Home Birth Rate

0%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

9%

10%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Ho

me

Bir

th R

ate

Brighton and Hove

0%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

9%

10%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Ho

me

Bir

th R

ate

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Ca

es

are

an

Se

cti

on

Ra

te

Home Birth Rate

Caesarean Section Rate

Normalising birth -what we can learn from Lagan Valley – obstetric led unit in Northern Ireland?• Involve Obstetricians

• Review Hospital Protocols

• Extend Antenatal Education

• Change Culture of Medical Birth

• Let Go of Fear

• Provide True One to One Midwifery Care

http://lifebegins.channel4.com/

http://www.mybirth.tv/

Maximise power of MSLC to create positive change

• research

• write letters/emails

• network

• be persistent

• review

• shout loud

What needs to be protected ?

• choice of place of birth

• alliance of mothers and midwives

• communication between commissioners, users and providers

• the power of our MSLCs to create change

What needs to change ?

• more midwives, better training

• doctors on side to promote normality and reduce obstetric interventions

• extended NHS antenatal education

• more happy healthy empowered families

• their choices respected

• obstetric care for those who need it

• normal birth is supported, where possible, for all

“It's amazing what a small group of committed people can accomplish to change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead