The Best Beginnings Midwives

Presented by,The Best BeginningsTeam

Who are The Best Beginnings Midwives?

• The Best Beginnings Midwives provide an intensive community based preventative approach to women ‘in need’ and their families in the Greenwich Borough, during antenatal, labour and postnatal period

• The focus of the work is on reducing inequalities in health and child development

How did it all start?

• It was reported that women recognised as vulnerable by the CEMACH Report were identified in 30% of most disadvantaged areas of the Borough. The levels of deprivation in these areas mean that many of these women have additional needs.

Drivers• The Department of Health• Every Child Matters• Maternity Matters• The National Service Framework• The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

How it was done?

• The team of 8 were seconded• Midwives were allocated to specific

geographical locations in the Borough• Attached to the Sure Start Local

Programmes/Children CentresMidwives tailor the care around

individual women’s needs

Partners/Agencies

Health• Midwives• Health Visitors• Oxleas - Time Team• Prenatal Psychologist• Breastfeeding Advocates• GP’s• Surgeries• SCBU• Obstetricians/Doctors

Social• Social Workers• Police• Women’s Trust• Learning Difficulties Team• Nursery Nurses• Children Centres• Housing Council• Job Centre

What are the results?

• Since July 2007 we have received over 1438 referrals. So far we have provided support for women who suffer from:

Mental health problems No: 658 Domestic Violence No: 150 Social Issues No: 105 Learning Difficulties No: 40 Asylum Seekers and Refugees No: 35 Teenage Pregnancy No: 352 (under 17) Other No: 98

ResultsMore mothers and babies are staying togetherLess mothers are being admitted to the wardsEarly discharge homeLess admission to the hospitalsImprovement in breastfeeding ratesReduction in incident of behaviours associated with

risk to infants at birth Reduction on low birth weight babiesIncrease awareness of the local Children Centres

What did women say?• ‘My Best Beginnings midwife is lovely and I’d like to

say a big thank you for being referred to her……. Best Beginnings really works as I have not felt like I did with my first child (I had depression)’

• ‘My Best Beginnings midwife was brilliant. She made me feel confident, secure and prepared for the birth’

• ‘If it wasn’t for Best Beginnings support I don’t know what I would have done. Now I am happily caring for my baby’

The Best Beginnings Team received the 2009 Award for Inclusive service for disadvantage groups and communities Awarded by All Party Parliamentary Maternity Group

Recommendations

We have recently merged with two neighbouring hospitals to form South London Healthcare NHS Trust. We recommend that this service is provided throughout three Boroughs

Breaking down boundaries and improving communication between Boroughs

Also, if possible similar care to be offered to all pregnant mothers

Best Beginnings

Team

Real Case Study (Client A)

• Pregnant mother 30-35 years old• Moved to our Borough from a different part of

the U.K.• Two previous children removed from her care

by Social Workers• Suffered domestic violence, severe

depression and had a drinking problem• Was described by the Social Workers as can

be volatile!

Case Study - Result• The Best Beginnings team involvement• Intensive antenatal and postnatal care• Close collaboration and involvement with other

agencies:Social WorkersOxleas – Mental HealthGPHealth visitorsChildren CentresWomen’s Trust

Happy National Midwife’s DayBecause of the Midwives like you Mothers like me keep their Babies (client A)