Tuesday, 1st March 2011

Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “The fall in maternal deaths outlined in this report is very good news. However, we must not rest on our laurels and we must continue to do all we can to keep these figures going in the right direction.

“The rise in the number of women dying from infection is a concern. There is a real need for midwives to be aware of this, so that they can offer the right and timely advice to women. All pregnant and newly delivered women need to be informed of the risks and midwives must be on the lookout for symptoms. This is a problem that can start with seemingly innocuous symptoms, but which can have devastating and fatal effects, and we need to raise awareness of this as a matter of urgency.”

For more information contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3456, pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

Notes to editors
The Royal College of Midwives is the voice of midwifery. We are the UK’s only trade union and professional organisation led by midwives for midwives. The vast majority of the midwifery profession are our members. The RCM promotes midwifery, quality maternity services and professional standards. We support and represent our members individually and collectively in all four UK countries.  We influence on behalf of our members and for the interests of the women and families for which they care.  For more information visit the RCM website at www.rcm.org.uk.