The number of births in the country has risen by 19% over the last eight years, reaching 36,000 in 2010, new figures reveal.
The increase comes as the number of midwives in Wales has fallen by 9.6% over the last two years.
Helen Rogers, RCM director for Wales, said: ‘Wales has done really well to maintain midwife numbers, but the steep birthrate rises of recent years have overtaken us.
‘These figures represent real and serious shortages in our maternity services that need attention.
‘Each single number is a midwife that should be there caring for women and their babies, but isn’t.’
There are currently 1196 full-time equivalent midwives in the NHS in Wales.
The RCM’s call for a workforce increase of more than 10% comes after the Welsh Assembly Government launched its maternity strategy yesterday (19 September).
Health minister Lesley Griffiths outlined her vision at a visit to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
She said she wants to increase ‘the promotion of healthy lifestyles before, during and after pregnancy’ and for healthcare to extend into schools, social services and community organisation and groups.
She added that safety, quality, recruitment and cost must be at the heart of the changes.
Elizabeth Duff, senior policy adviser at the charity
National Childbirth Trust said the plan for reform is a ‘significant opportunity’.
‘NCT strongly supports Lesley Griffiths’ call for equitable services for all women, and for maternity care to extend beyond the health service into schools, social services and the voluntary sector,’ she said.
‘In particular, NCT has urged that the Welsh government should consider enabling robust cross-disciplinary local networks for maternity and early years services.’
Speaking about the government plans, Mrs Rogers said: ‘The maternity strategy launched by the
Welsh Assembly Government today paints a bright future for Wales’ maternity services and the women that use them.
‘I really want to see the vision and determination outlined in the maternity strategy translated into more midwives to deliver it.
‘I know this government are committed to high quality maternity care as the strategy demonstrates, and I am sure they will support us in our call for more midwives.’
