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Midwifery news

Read midwifery news reports prepared by the Midwives magazine team.

A full list of news articles about the Royal College of Midwives can be viewed using the link in the panel on the right.

Open access: Latest news is available to all site visitors

RCM in the news

Vacant midwife posts need filling 26-08-10
26 August 2010
Aid to Pakistan should not include formula milk 26-08-10
26 August 2010

>Read more news about the RCM

News feed

Women's Hour hears case for home birthThe RCM's deputy general secretary Louise Silverton has urged women considering a home birth to give it active thought, calling it 'a super way to have a baby.'
Study challenges sucrose pain relief practiceGiving sugar to newborn babies does not provide effective relief for procedural pain, according to a new study published in The Lancet that challenges existing clinical guidelines on sucrose analgesia.
Test could predict which mothers will need caesareansResearchers have designed a test that can predict which women will need a caesarean.
Breastfeeding protects against type 2 diabetesMothers who have never breastfed run nearly twice the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a paper in the American Journal of Medicine.
Births to overseas mothers at record levelsA quarter of births in England and Wales last year were to a mother born outside the UK, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Midwife vacancy rates on the upThere has been a rise in the vacancy rates for midwives in the NHS, while most other staff groups have seen a dip, according to figures from the NHS Information Centre.
RCM past president goes back to her rootsPast president of the RCM Dame Lorna Muirhead has returned to her former hospital as Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside to re-launch a charity at Liverpool Women's Hospital.
Epidurals may help prevent prolapseThe use of epidurals during childbirth may have a protective effect on the levator ani muscles, which hold up the pelvic floor, according to research in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Planned changes may stop fertility treatment abroadThe body that regulates fertility treatment in the UK is to launch a public consultation on its policies for egg and sperm donation.
More should be done to improve breastfeeding rates, says RCMThe RCM has called on more to be done in deprived areas to improve low breastfeeding rates, following the release of government statistics.
Pregnant smokers less likely than others to kick the habitRates for pregnant women quitting smoking have fallen below the average rate for giving up in England, according to figures from the NHS.
Babies of young mothers more likely to suffer cot deathMothers under 20 are over three times more likely to have a cot death than their older counterparts, the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have shown.
Hormones help fathers bond with their babiesA surge of hormones when men become new fathers helps them bond with their babies, research has shown.
Midwives' supermarket sweepLast month, mothers were able to attend information sessions with qualified midwives in the supermarket.
Ultrasound training programme for doctors launchedObstetricians and gynaecologists are to be trained in how to carry out ultrasounds.
Health visitors can prevent postnatal depressionHealth visitors with extra mental health training can prevent postnatal depression, says a report in Psychological Medicine.
104th time lucky to fall pregnantThe average couple has sex 104 times before falling pregnant, research has found.
Research shows how to successfully screen for pre-eclampsia in first trimesterEarly-onset pre-eclampsia in nulliparous women can be predicted by identifying a combination of clinical characteristics and first trimester maternal serum biomarkers, a Canadian study has found.
CCTV expertise to prevent stillbirthsSurveillance experts have teamed up with a consultant obstetrician to try to find a way to prevent stillbirths.
Midwife develops iPhone application for new parentsA US midwife has developed an iPhone application for expectant parents.
Top midwives face pay cuts and job losses in a bid to cut NHS costsBand 7 midwives are facing £6000-a-year pay cuts as they are forced to reapply for their own jobs, the Daily Mirror has reported.
RCM hits back at 'anti-home birth movement'RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick has criticised what she calls 'sweeping and misogynistic' hype from doctors about the dangers of home birth.
Midwives sought for television documentaryTelevision production company Electric Sky is researching ideas around a possible documentary about midwives and their role before, during and after birth.
Greater gender equality needed to cut maternal death ratesA new United Nations (UN) body, known as UN Women, plans to speed up improvement on maternal health by focusing on gender equality and economic development.
Prenatal smoking reduces effectiveness of asthma drugsChildren born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy are believed to be at a higher risk of developing asthma and, according to a new study may also get less benefit from inhaled medication used to prevent asthma attacks.
Go on, have some chocolateChocolate may be good for clients suffering from gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, according to research published in the August edition of Annals of Epidemiology.
Do not cut midwives' pensions, RCM saysMidwives' pensions and those of others in the public sector should not be reduced simply to please people who receive less money through private schemes, the RCM has told a commission into the issue.
Don't waste a dropAnyone who donates money to the UK Association for Milk Banking (UKAMB) will be given a free music download from folk-rock performer Sedleigh to say thank you.
Stress delays pregnancyStress appears to reduce womens chances of conceiving, according to a study by researchers in England and the US.
Breastfeeding mother ordered off busA nursing student was ordered off a Stagecoach bus after she refused to stop breastfeeding her six-week-old son.
Parents asked to fill in Bliss surveyBliss, the special care baby charity, is gathering information for the latest edition of its annual report into issues surrounding neonatal care.
Birth control pill effective for obese womenA new study suggests that the contraceptive pill is as effective for obese women as for others, despite earlier research suggesting the opposite.
Time to take a babymoonNew parents should take a 'babymoon' after their babies are born just as newlyweds enjoy a honeymoon after getting married, according to the author of a new book about parenthood.
Feedback sought on Welsh language schemeThe Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) wants to hear what midwives think of its proposed Welsh language scheme, which is due to come into effect in January 2011.
New guidance for parents of critically ill babiesBliss, the special care baby charity, has published a new leaflet to help healthcare workers support the parents of critically ill babies.
UK breast cancer rates four times higher than in eastern AfricaBreast cancer rates in the UK are more than four times higher than in eastern Africa, according to new figures published by the World Cancer Research Fund.
New 'butterfly room' for NewhamVolunteers at Newham University Hospital NHS Trust have redecorated a bereavement room for grieving women and families.
No need to delay pregnancy after miscarriageWomen who conceive within six months of an initial miscarriage have the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy, according to an analysis of 30,937 women in Scotland.
New report on HSW regulation releasedThe National Nursing Research Unit at King's College London has published a new report examining healthcare support workforce regulation.
Women who gain excess weight when pregnant have heavier babiesAn analysis of more than 500,000 American women has found that those who gain too much weight during pregnancy have heavier babies, independent of any genetic factors.
GPs' minor role undermining maternity careA new report by The King's Fund argues that GPs' lack of involvement in maternity care is undermining the care of pregnant women and their families.
Complications increase risk of postnatal depressionWomen who suffer complications at or around the time of birth are at a higher risk of developing postnatal depression two months after giving birth, according to a Dutch study published today in BJOG.
Aspirin can cut pre-eclampsia riskStarting women on low doses of aspirin before 16 weeks can cut the risk of pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) by half, according to a new meta-analysis of 11,348 women at risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
Time to change the definition of 'full term' pregnancyBabies born at 37 or 38 weeks' gestation appear to have increased mortality and neonatal morbidity compared to those born later, even though 37 weeks is classified as full term, say the authors of a new study.
Radiotherapy in childhood could harm chances of healthy pregnancyWomen who had radiotherapy directed at their uterus or ovaries before they reached puberty are more likely to have a child who is stillborn or who dies shortly after birth, according to a new study published in The Lancet.
New BBC series needs midwivesIndependent television production company Prospect Pictures is making a new BBC series about pregnancy and lifestyle and are looking for midwives to take part.
Home birth choice puts babies at riskWomen have the right to choose how and where to give birth, but they do not have the right to put their baby at risk states the latest editorial in The Lancet.
Childbirth in artA collection of contemporary artwork dedicated to the subject of childbirth is now on show between Salford university's midwifery department in Greater Manchester and the RCOG in London.
New NICE guidlines on weight managementNICE has produced new guidelines to help women attain and maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.
New direction for public healthPublic health and the government's recently unveiled plans to re-structure the health system was discussed today at the King's Fund.
ContactPoint to closeThe government has announced that the database ContactPoint is to close on 6 August.
On-call consultationThe RCM is seeking midwives' views on revising the current on-call arrangements.
BBC seeking midwives for documentary on effects of drugsThe BBC is looking for midwives to feature in a documentary on the effects parents' dependence on drugs have on their children.
Evidence mounts on negative effects of obesity on pregnancyOverweight and obese women are more likely to give birth to a preterm baby than normal weight women, a study has found.
Neonatal mortality rates continue to improveThe perinatal mortality rate and stillbirth rate continue to fall across the UK, concludes a new report from the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE).
Maternity services rewarded for excellenceFive maternity units were recognised for their inspiring and innovative work at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity (APPGM) awards ceremony held recently at the Houses of Parliament.
Effects of baby boom in the over 40sThe number of live births in the last decade has nearly doubled for women over 40, Midwives Hollie Ewers reports on the implications for midwives.
Downpatrick opens its doorsBy Breedagh Hughes, RCM UK Board for Northern Ireland board secretary
London birthing centre celebratesBy Jacque Gerrard, director of the RCM UK Board for England (RCM UKBE)
Policy seminarSome 23 RCM stewards 20 from England and three from Wales attended a three-day policy seminar held recently in Birmingham.
Honorary RCM fellowMidwife Marie Washbrook has been made an honorary fellow of the RCM for her work with Birthrate Plus - a framework for workplace planning and strategic decision-making in maternity services, which enables Trusts to ascertain the number of midwives they need.
Maternal health eventScotlands role in promoting maternal health was explored in a Women, maternal health and human rights event, which took place in Glasgow recently.
Learning and development guide for MSWsThe RCM has produced a learning and development guide and standards document specifically for maternity support workers (MSWs).
Legal birth conference 2010The legal issues and challenges facing midwives were presented, discussed and debated at the RCMs annual legal birth conference recently.
Annual accounts and associated reportsThe annual accounts and associated reports and the Annual Review 20082009 have now been published.
Erratum noticeThe RCM wishes to correct some errors that have been identified in the Nutrition in Pregnancy A-Z booklet that was recently circulated to members within a toolkit.
CongratulationsThe professional editor of Midwives magazine Mary Steen has been appointed professor of midwifery at the University of Chester.
Code of conduct on international recruitmentThe WHO has produced a long awaited code of practice on the international recruitment of healthcare personnel.
Newborn screening resource cardsScotland has produced pocket-sized newborn screening resource cards, following on from their introduction in England.
Indemnity cover for midwives proportionateIt is proportionate and cost effective to require health professionals to have indemnity or insurance cover as a condition of registration.
What now for the Health in Pregnancy Grant?Women who reach their 25th week of pregnancy before 1 January next year are still eligible to claim the Health in Pregnancy Grant.
Neonatal services in Wales 'understaffed'Neonatal units in Wales are understaffed, lack funds and are ill-equipped says a new report from a cross-party committee.
Win a TENS machineTwo MamaTENS Mytime machines are available for Midwives readers to win. One of the newest products in the MamaTENS range, it monitors contraction times and length of time in labour and has extra high levels of pain relief.
London maternity unit awarded high clinical safety standardGuys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trusts maternity unit has achieved the top accreditation for clinical safety level 3 standards.
Why not? You've got nothing to loseEditorial by Midwives editor Emma Godfrey
Promoting normal birth key to cost savingsPromoting normal birth is one of eight actions highlighted as examples of high-quality, cost-effective care that could save the NHS millions of pounds every year.
Diet drinks linked with preterm labour riskPregnant women who regularly drink artificially sweetened soft drinks are at increased risk of having a preterm birth, according to a new study.
NHS faces major shake-upStrategic health authorities and primary care Trusts (PCTs) will be phased out as part of plans to overhaul the NHS in England.
Midwives archiveAll issues of Midwives magazine dating back from 2002 are available on the RCM website in a newly-categorised format.
A guide to easier birthA birth support and therapy toolkit has just been launched for parents as a new virtual companion aiming to prepare mind and body for a better birth.

Older news articles

Member-only: Older articles are available only to RCM members or Midwives subscribers

BBC 2 documentary opportunityThe BBC is looking for an experienced midwife to feature in a one-hour documentary.
Higher risk of death in babies born outside normal working weekBabies are at a higher risk of dying due to lack of oxygen if they are born outside normal working hours, according to a study from Scotland.
Pregnant young women who drink under fireThe RCM has branded the language used by a prominent government advisor at a nursing summit where he accused drunken young women of poisoning their babies as unhelpful
Bereavement care still lackingOver half of UK maternity units surveyed by the charity Sands do not provide a dedicated bereavement support midwife.
Prevalence of sickle cell diseaseSickle cell disease is now the most commonly inherited disease in England, according to new figures.

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The Royal College of Midwives. A company limited by guarantee. Registration number 30157. Registered in England at 15 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NH. The Royal College of Midwives Trust. A company limited by guarantee. Registration number 1345335. Registered in England at the above address. A charity registered in England & Wales under registration number 275261. RCM Trust Trading company Ltd. Registration number 5399453. Registered in England at the above address.

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