Supporting midwives to address the needs of women suffering from severe and multiple disadvantage

23 November 2020

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that women who experience severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) during pregnancy are more likely to experience poor maternity outcomes, and more likely to report poorer experiences of maternity care. Midwives are uniquely positioned to provide assistance to women who experience SMD during pregnancy, and there is growing evidence that where skilled midwives can identify needs and make necessary referrals, women and their babies experience better outcomes.