The NHS is rolling out additional support for pregnant Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority (BAME) women, as new research shows heightened risks facing women from minority groups. Analysis out today shows Black pregnant women are eight times more likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19, while Asian women are four times as likely. Urgent […]

England’s top midwife has today praised NHS maternity teams for providing high quality care in the face of the most significant challenge to ever face the health services, and urged new and expectant families to continue to come forward for routine checks and urgent advice. Since the NHS put itself on the highest level of […]

The NHS in England is saving hundreds more babies’ lives every year than a decade ago, with thousands more to be saved thanks to the Long Term Plan and ongoing action to make services safer. Professor Jaqueline Dunkley-Bent, the first-ever NHS chief midwifery officer, has praised improvements to local maternity services which saw a reduction […]

Women who smoke during pregnancy are putting themselves and their baby at risk of serious harm unless they kick the habit, the NHS has warned. The NHS’ chief midwife has spoken out as new stats released today (Tuesday) show that although fewer adults overall are smoking, and maternity smoking specifically has fallen from 92,123 women […]

Almost 14,000 families have opted for a home birth in a single year, which might include the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as mothers-to-be are offered greater choice over the care they receive thanks to the NHS Long Term Plan. If Baby Sussex is born in the familiar surroundings of home, they will be among […]

Pregnant women are to be offered specialist stop smoking referrals as part of NHS action to reduce stillbirths, which has already resulted in at least 160 babies’ lives being saved. Following the success of a programme introduced in 2015 which saw 20% fewer babies dying at birth, NHS England has today confirmed that the scheme […]

New and expectant mothers across the country can now access specialist mental health care in the area where they live, NHS England announced today. The landmark rollout of specialist perinatal community services across the whole of England, means that mums and mums-to-be who are experiencing anxiety, depression or other forms of mental ill health should […]

The NHS has appointed England’s first Chief Midwife to improve care for new and expectant mothers and their children and promote safer births as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, announced today that Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent will be the first to take on the new role, to […]

A pioneering advice line staffed by midwives has seen tens of thousands of new and expectant mothers get guidance on labour, breastfeeding, sleep and other health problems. Women can get advice over the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days per year from the Surrey Heartlands Pregnancy Advice Line. The dedicated phone line is one […]

Problem drinkers and smokers who end up in hospital will be helped by dedicated new services as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. As part of new NHS prevention measures, people who are alcohol dependent will be helped by new Alcohol Care Teams, while more than half a million patients who smoke, including pregnant […]