The Maternity & Midwifery Hour

Series 20 - Episode 1: The Midwifery Student Jobs CrisisHow has it come about that there are so few jobs for student midwives? The NHS has known they were in the pipeline, on student placement, in maternity units.The NHS has a shortage of midwives; maternity units are marked "need improvement" or "inadequate" by CQC for staff shortages.Earlier this year student midwives, including one of our contributors, presented a petition to No10. The Government has promised money for 1000 recruits, but 2800 are coming out of university this summer.Do they need to present it again to No 10 North in Manchester?Hear what is happening and what you can do about it.Take part, ask questions, tell your story and experiences, take action!Hosted by:Neil Stewart, Editorial Director, Maternity & Midwifery ForumContributions from:Alix Morrison, Student Midwife campaignerNicole Stuart, founder of Early Careers Midwives Network and qualified midwife.

For as long as we can remember, student midwives have learned about the female pelvis, and the fetal skull, its dimensions and fit together, and the mechanism of labour. But do we always understand the complexities of that mechanism, and the influence of factors like exercise, and movement may have on the process, even before the beginning of labour? Molly O’Brien joins us to discuss how we can develop our knowledge and skills, using research and evidence focussing on biomechanics, and how we can encourage women to move that little bit more, and try different movements to make their labour and birth work better.Hosted by:Sue MacdoanldContributions from:Molly O’Brien, Educator & Specialist, Biomechanics for Birth

One of the key outcomes that we as midwives within the maternity care team need to address is that of pre-term labour and birth – when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, working towards improving perinatal outcomes.We are joined this week by Dede Thorpe, Preterm Specialist Midwife at East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust, who will be talking about the experience of women and families who have given birth early, and highlight the key risk factors, highlighting how to signpost women and families to good pre-terms services. Dede will also discuss how the midwife can best identify the common risk factors and ensure that care is tailored to the needs of that woman and her baby, and also deal with and bridge gaps in care for this cohort of women.Hosted by:Sue MacdoanldContributions from:Dede Thorpe Preterm Birth Specialist Midwife East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust

Series 19 - Episode 9: Where next for Midwifery? Ockenden & Amos round upMaternity & Midwifery are the subject two significant reports which have huge implications for the choices for women and the shape of the profession.Students can’t get jobs, experienced midwives are retiring and leaving, education is trapped in university financial crisis and now the basic roles and education of the profession are being questioned, with calls to end direct entry to graduate courses.In less than a decade the objective of Better Births and Continuity of Care seem further away than ever, the statistics for maternal deaths are getting worse, not better, and the objective of halving stillbirths remains far away. We now have revelations of huge failing in maternity services, disrespect and insensitive treatment of women in labour, unprofessional behaviour among colleagues and accusations of bullying of women and junior staff.Is this a complete picture of what is happening and will the proposed solutions make the difference expected?Hosted by:Neil StewartContributions from:Neil Stewart, Editorial Director, MATFLIX/ Maternity & Midwifery ForumNicky Clark, Freelance Midwifery Educationalist; former LME, University of Hull

Live from the Bradford Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2026Keynote address: The maternity care crisis and lessons learned Professor Andrew Weeks, Professor of International Maternal Healthcare, University of Liverpool  From strategy to practice: what the women’s health strategy means for midwives Dr Rosie Dawson, Consultant Midwife, MNVP Professional Lead, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust; Honorary Lecturer, Teesside University, Scientific Board of Advisors - Active Pregnancy Foundation; Board  Member - North East Obesity Forum

Series 19 - Episode 8: " No pregnant woman sent home" is this a demand to build trust with women that they will be listened to or does it go too far?The "No Pregnant Woman Sent Home" campaign has sparked significant debate across maternity services, professional communities, and among women and families themselves.At its heart is a simple but challenging question: when a pregnant woman seeks care, should maternity services always provide face-to-face assessment rather than advising her to remain at home?Supporters argue that every contact represents an opportunity to identify concerns, build trust, and potentially prevent avoidable harm. Critics raise questions about clinical judgement, resource pressures, over-medicalisation, and whether a blanket approach is always in women's best interests.This live webinar brings together leading voices from maternity care to explore the evidence, experiences, and practical implications behind the campaign. The discussion will examine how services can balance safety, choice, personalised care, and professional decision-making while responding to increasing demand and workforce pressures.Join us for a thoughtful and balanced conversation on one of the most important debates currently facing maternity services.Hear about the online poll for maternity opinion on a new slogan to rebuild trust with women and cast your vote live.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Neil Stewart, Editorial Director, MATFLIX/ Maternity & Midwifery Forum

Series 19 - Episode 7: Midwifery research: priorities, pathways and midwifery involvementAt the heart of this week’s hour is the importance of research that informs midwifery practice and the care of women, babies and families, together with the role of midwives in conducting and advancing that research.We are joined by Judith Field, who will be discussing the RCM’s groundbreaking work in identifying midwifery research priorities and future directions for this work.Claire Singh will be discussing her PhD project - INCLUSIVE: Improving knowledge, skills, attitudes & behaviours for LGBTQ+ maternity care - which aims to improve the maternity care experience of LGBTQ+ birthing people by helping midwives develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours they need to offer safe and inclusive care. The INCLUSIVE project is driven by both a personal and professional commitment to improve equity, inclusion and care experiences within maternity services and Claire will talk about the INCLUSIVE project and work being undertaken as part of the project, as well as how you may be able to get involved.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Judith Field, Research Advisor, Royal College of MidwivesClaire Singh, NIHR Senior Doctoral Fellow, King’s College London

Series 19 - Episode 6: Postpartum Psychosis: identification, support and careIn this hour we explore Postpartum Psychosis also known as Puerperal Psychosis, an important condition which can impact on women and their families after the birth of a baby. Sally Wilson and Jenny Stevenson will share what is known about Postpartum psychosis, and its recognition, and how families can be supported through this, and we will explore women and families experiences and some of issues faced by those who experience postpartum psychosisHosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Dr Sally Wilson, National Training Coordinator, Action on Postpartum PsychosisJenny Stevenson - National Peer Support Coordinator (online services)

Recently there has been a lot of media focus on trauma and difficulties experienced by women after birth, and in a busy service women may also feel anxious and reluctant to ask questions about their labour and birth experiences.Marie Watkyns, former Head of Midwifery and founder of Little Light Support, introduces the L.I.G.H.T. approach to trauma-informed birth debriefing. This session will offer practical insight into supporting emotionally complex postnatal conversations with clarity, compassion and confidence.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Marie Watkyns, Founder, Little Light SupportBiographyMarie WatkynsAfter 5 years in the Royal Air Force, Marie trained as a midwife — graduating with a First-Class degree and receiving a Clinical Excellence Award.She went on to build a senior career specialising in clinical governance and patient safety, including roles as a former Head of Midwifery.Over the years, she has led and contributed to serious incident investigations, perinatal mortality reviews, and national audits of maternity care.This work gave her a clear view of what happens behind the scenes when care doesn’t go to plan — and, importantly, how often families are left without clear, honest explanations afterwards.Through independent birth debriefs and maternity care reviews, Marie offers something that is rarely available within the system:Clear, evidence-based explanations of what happenedHonest answers without defensiveness or dismissalAn independent perspective

Series 19 - Episode 4: Improving care for women and infantsPresentations:Parental stress in the Neonatal Unit - findings from the Neo-SILT StudyColm Darby, Vice Chair, Neonatal Nurses Association; Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Craigavon Area Hospital; Doctoral Fellow; Queen’s University BelfastReset & renew - building sustainable healthy habits in high-stress rolesAmanda Whitehead, Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach

Black and mixed Black heritage women in the UK experience pregnancy and infant loss at higher rates than their white counterparts. In response to these disparities, midwife Alicia Burnett launched Black Baby Loss Awareness Week in 2023 - an awareness event which aims to improve Black communities' awareness of support services for women, birthing people and families affected by pregnancy and baby loss.Now in its fourth year, the awareness week now features an annual webinar, national community walks and in-person events. Join us when Alicia shares what’s in store for Black Baby Loss Awareness Week 2026.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Alicia Burnett, Director, Black Baby Loss Awareness C.I.C.

Series 19 - Episode 2: Fear of Childbirth or Fear of Systems?The rising caesarean section rate and the pressures on the maternity services might contribute to women feeling afraid of childbirth. Fear of childbirth or birth trauma may be shaped by the way care is organised and delivered, by midwives and the multidisciplinary team, and experienced by women, their babies and families.In this session, Dr Maeve O’Connell, Lecturer in Midwifery at University College Cork, draws on the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care Framework and links this to practice and education.

Maternity care and thus midwifery has become more complex for women and also for midwives and maternity care teams. How can we get it right, and improve care for women, their babies and families, reduce unnecessary interventions and, most importantly, improve maternal and perinatal outcomes?In this week’s hour, we welcome Anna Melamed, Senior Midwifery Lecturer at University of the West of England, who will be sharing the Antenatal Risk Assessment and Classification (ARAC) Study and considering how this impacts on practice.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Anna Melamed, Senior midwifery lecturer, University of the West of England

Language truly matters when it comes to pregnancy loss. The language used in healthcare settings can have a huge impact on people who experience loss during pregnancy, and on their subsequent mental recovery and wellbeing.In this session, we will explore what can be learned from the experiences of nearly one thousand participants who took part in research projects to investigate the way language is currently used and perceived in pregnancy loss care in the UK. This work gathered responses from people who have experienced loss at different stages of pregnancy, as well as from midwives and other professionals involved in delivering care in this difficult context.We will reflect on the different language needs of individuals and identify communicative strategies that can best support them. We will also draw on statistical analysis of large scale survey data to identify the terminology that is felt to be most distressing or ‘unacceptable’ to a majority, and that which is more ‘acceptable’.In this way, the session will provide some evidence-based recommendations for communication in practice and opportunities for reflection.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Dr Beth Malory, Lecturer in English Linguistics and a health communicationspecialist, University College LondoDr Louise Nuttall, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University College London

Series 18 - Episode 10: You were held…This session we are looking at how women, who may at risk of separation from their babies at or soon after birth, especially through complex child protection issues, can be uniquely supported through a compassionate, private photography session.The ‘You were held’ project supports mothers in managing the grief of being separated from their babies due to legal reasons and to reinforce that they are, and always will be, mothers. By preserving precious memories of an emotional connection, the project, led by a safeguarding and midwife photographer, helps reduce the trauma of loss and distress for mothers whose babies are taken into care and validates that they are a mother, giving a forever memory for both mother and baby. We are joined by Midwife Gaynor Morrison, Senior Midwife Lecturer at Kingston University, who has led this project.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Gaynor Morrison, Senior midwife lecturer, Kingston University

The rising caesarean section rate across the UK and globally is reshaping maternity care, with significant implications for midwifery practice, education and workforce development.This session will explore how increasing surgical birth rates impact student learning opportunities, skill acquisition, confidence in physiological birth, and the future role of the midwife. We will consider the balance between supporting safe operative birth and maintaining expertise in normal birth, as well as the broader system pressures influencing these trends.Designed for midwives, student midwives, educators, maternity leaders and policymakers, this event offers space for critical reflection, shared learning and constructive discussion about how midwifery education can adapt while protecting the core philosophy of the profession.Join us for an important conversation about safeguarding midwifery skills in a changing maternity landscape.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Nicky Clark, Freelance Midwifery Educationalist; former LME, University of Hull

Midwifery Hour

The Midwifery Forum’s weekly live stream, brought to you by MATFLIX – every Wednesday, 7-8pm, UKSeries 18 - Episode 7: Safer delivery: working hours and conditions - impact on midwives’ wellbeingMedia attention on maternity care has rightly focussed on women, babies and families’ experiences of the maternity services and has highlighted issues around poor communication, difficulties with team work and, sometimes, uncaring practitioners. But is this the full story?In this edition we are exploring midwives’ experiences of being asked to work over their hours, to cover for staff shortages and forcing them to work in ways that they feel prevents them from doing their job in the way they would wish.We are joined by midwife and author, Leah Hazard, who has been investigating midwives’ experiences and will share her findings towards improving midwives’ working lives.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Leah Hazard, Midwife, Author and ActivistBiographyLeah HazardLeah Hazard is a practising NHS Midwife, bestselling author, activist and mother. As a proud member of the midwifery profession, she’s passionate about bringing midwifery and reproductive health into the public eye. As a firm believer that midwives lay the foundation for lifelong wellness, she’s committed to providing evidence-based information in a way that’s accessible, nuanced, relatable and relevant to our times.

The importance of consent, and specifically informed consent, is crucial in ensuring that women, babies and their families receive maternity care, personalised and tailored to their particular needs. This week we are joined by Dr Jacqui Williams, Senior Midwifery Advisor (Education) at the NMC and Geraldine Lucas Head of Midwifery at the University of Worcester, who join us to present some of the challenges that student midwives and midwives face in every day practice, and discuss how best to achieve true informed choice.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Dr Jacqui Williams, Senior Midwifery Advisor (Education), NMCGeraldine Lucas Head of Midwifery, University of Worcester

2 presentations from the London Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2026:Student midwives' exposure to physiological birth: An analysis of 3055 births Dr Claire Feeley, Senior Lecturer and Midwifery/Maternal Health Researcher, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, Kings College London Teaching Waterbirth for the 21st century.  Love, skills and knowledge Dianne Garland, Founder, MidwifeExpert; Author

Series 18 - Episode 4: An update on the work of NHS Resolution’s Early Notification schemeThe Early Notification (EN) Scheme is a key initiative towards achieving the delivery of safer maternity care, providing a more rapid, caring response to families in cases of severe harm and supporting a learning culture.This session will explore the NHS Resolution’s Early Notification (EN) scheme and share learning and resources that are useful for clinical practice.The scheme proactively investigates specific brain injuries at birth for the purposes of determining if negligence has caused the harm. We then aim to investigate the claim sooner to provide earlier resolution for families. The EN team have published two key learning reports and you will have an opportunity to hear more about the reports and the work of the scheme during the presentation.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Annette Anderson – Head of Early Notification Clinical TeamLynn Tilley – Early Notification Regional Lead (London)Kelly Inglis – National Midwifery Clinical FellowElizabeth Pells – Midwife and Early Notification Family Liaison and Mediation Lead

Series 18 - Episode 2: Anti-racist Midwifery: Practice Improving careKeelie Grindley, EDI Lead, UHNMThe impact of systematic racism, unconscious bias and the disparities in maternal and perinatal outcomes for Black and Brown women and birthing people in comparison to their white counterparts must encourage us all to look critically at ourselves, and the care that we provide to women, birthing people and families.In this session Sue is joined by Keelie Grindley, EDI Lead at the University Hospitals of North Midlands, who will share some of her work providing education to the maternity workforce and student midwives on anti-racist midwifery practice and racial inequalities.

Series 18 - Episode 2: What matters: Maternity services for neurodivergent women during pregnancyBeing neurodiverse can present significant challenges to women entering maternity services and meeting the needs of women who have been identified as neurodiverse, or are yet to be, is important in ensuring appropriate and compassionate care during their pregnancy and childbirth journey.In this session we look at work being carried out by Lisa Allan, specialist midwife in Glasgow and Greater Clyde and Maureen McDowall, part of the What Matters to You (WMTY) support team who have co-developed a tool to support and develop maternity services for neurodivergent women during pregnancy.The work focuses on understanding women from a WMTY perspective using a caring and kind approach guided by the 3 main principles of the WMTY: asking, listening, and doing what matters. This allows a space for a What Matters to You discussion to help understand what is important to the person who is using maternity services and how staff can work together with the women to deliver the service that’s right for them in their birthing journey.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Lisa Allan, Specialist Midwife in Perinatal Mental Health, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.Maureen MacDowall, Project Officer, Healthcare Improvement Scotland

What can we learn from the stories of newly qualified midwivesIn this session, we discuss research undertaken by Suzanne which explored the experience of newly qualified midwives and its implications for supporting and developing new midwives. The identity of being a midwife is through relationships and this needs some rebalancing as practitioners start to negotiate the ‘doing’ (where the focus is on the proficiencies) with the ‘being’.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Dr Suzanne Crozier, Midwifery Consultant

Issues around labour and birth and the development of maternal infant attachment and bonding has been an area of interest to parents and also to midwives in supporting parents in their journey to parenthood.In this session, we are joined by author and midwife, Laura Godfrey-Isaacs, who will be discussing her graphic guide for parents, which midwives may also find helpful in expanding parents’ feeling of preparation and access to information.We then move the focus to mothers' individual birth experiences and the early development of mother-infant bonding which have long been of interest to parents and to midwives. We are joined by psychologist, researcher and educator, Dr Carmen Power, who will be talking about the impacts of physiological and psychological aspects of labour and birth on the mother's mental health, her baby's early behaviour and early communications between baby and mother, providing some key areas that the midwife can develop to support the process of bonding.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Dr Carmen Power, Psychologist writer, researcher, educator and consultantLaura Godfrey-Isaacs, Artist, Midwife, Writer & Creative Producer

The UN intends for women and girls to not only survive, but thrive, and, in the process, transform their life chances and those of their communities. However, the focus in maternity care in the uk is more specific, on safety and survival without trauma. While this is important, it does not capture the ‘personalisation’ - thriving and transforming- part of the picture. One way of building potential to add this other critical dimension to the service we provide is to research in this space. The presentation will look at what kinds of questions midwives could ask; what kind of evidence is currently being generated in this area; how to build research capacity to answer future questions - and, briefly, what steps could be taken to put the research we have into practice.Hosted by:Sue MacdonaldContributions from:Soo Downe, BA(Hons), RM, MSc, PhD, OBE, University of Lancashire

Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferySupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

This episode will be focusing on the lived midwifery experience of implementing this genetic testing within the existing Gestational Diabetes care pathway to ensure consistency and equity of access.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Nicola Young, RN RM. Project Lead (Monogenic Diabetes), North East and Yorkshire Genomic Medicine ServiceBecky Lambert-Pitts, Project Lead, North East and Yorkshire Genomic Medicine Service. Currently working as a Lead Specialist MidwifeSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 17 - Episode 9: Educating Future MidwivesThis week’s episode will feature two key presentations from the Midwifery Education Conference that took place earlier in the day at De Montfort University.Nicky, former LME at the University of Hull and now a freelance Educationalist, will set out the challenges ahead and Angela will give an insight into the role of new technology in teaching.Chair:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyTrouble Ahead – Midwifery Education OverviewNicky Clark, Freelance Midwife EducationalistImproving Patient Safety in Maternity Through Immersive Simulation TechnologyAngela Ayuk, Fetal Wellbeing Lead Midwife, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustNicky ClarkNicky Clark is the Chair of the NMC Lead Midwife for Education Strategic reference group, which is an active stakeholder group for midwifery education across the UK.She qualified as a registered general nurse in 1982 and as a midwife in 1986 and has been in midwifery education since 1990 working in several institutions. Nicky has been the Lead Midwife for Education at the University of Hull since 2008. She has undertaken many national and international external collaborations, working in the UK and across Europe and Asia providing expert advice on programme approvals in midwifery, and also undertaking institutional quality assurance reviews across the UK and Croatia. She is a NMC quality assurance visitor and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Nicky has been, and continues to be, actively involved at a strategic level in national developments within midwifery.Nicky is extremely passionate about midwifery and is totally committed to ensuring quality and excellence in the education of all those who experience it.Angela AyukAngela is a strong professional with a demonstrated history of working in maternity care, clinical research and the charity retail industry. Skilled in Midwifery, project management, and research delivery.. Graduated from Oxford Brookes University.

This week we are exploring a project (The PANDA project) aimed at preventing maternal anaemia to avoid preterm labour and birth in order to reduce adverse outcomes for women and their babies. The PANDA project is a phase III, multi-centre, randomised placebo-controlled trial of oral iron supplementation for the prevention of maternal anaemia, and it is planned to recruit over 11,000 participants across more than 40 NHS hospitals in England and Wales, making it one of the largest maternity trials of its kind.We are joined by Professor David Churchill who will be discussing maternal anaemia, why it matters and how it is being currently managed, and then moving into a presentation of the PANDA study, and how practitioners can learn more and get involved.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContributions from:Professor David Churchill, Consultant Obstetrician (Maternal & Fetal Medicine), Royal Wolverhampton, Professor of Obstetrics, University of WolverhamptonSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Contribution from: Dr Jacqui Williams, Senior Midwifery Advisor (Education), Professional Practice Directorate, Nursing & Midwifery CouncilThe NMC has worked with key stakeholders to develop these principles to respond to queries that midwives have raised with us in regard to choices women are making.The session will cover principles from the perspective of the woman, the midwife, the employer and the NMC.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContributions from:Dr Jacqui Williams, Senior Midwifery Advisor (Education), Professional Practice Directorate, Nursing & Midwifery CouncilSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

In this week’s hour we are exploring the experiences and perspectives of doulas working within the UK maternity services and privately employed. We are joined by Dr Amanda Hutcherson who is presenting her research into how training as a birth supporter impacts on women’s lives and identities. We welcome Trudi Dawson from DoulaUK who highlights the different pathways into becoming a doula and the updating requirements.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContributions from:Amanda Hutcherson, Midwifery EducationalistTrudi Dawson, Doula, Doula UKSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 17 - Episode 5: The empty crib: loss and bereavement in pregnancy and childbirthFeaturing Lauren Petrie, Specialist Bereavement Midwife, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea HospitalThis week, as we come to the end of baby loss week, our focus is on mothers and families who lose a baby at whatever stage of their pregnancy and, importantly, what midwives can do to support them through this time and beyond.Our guests will discuss how midwives can support mothers and families through the loss of their baby, through to looking ahead to consider future hopes and plans.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContributions from:Lauren Petrie, Specialist Bereavement Midwife, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital

Series 17 - Episode 4: Collaboration in Action – towards Better Births togetherThis session will be a chance to discuss the collaborative efforts of Make Birth Better to address the challenges facing maternity and perinatal care by building on the strength of grass root, charitable and shared-commitment organisations to work towards ensuring quality, safe and rights-based care for all who choose to access maternity and perinatal care services.MaM Birth Collective Meets Make Birth BetterCome and join Dr Anna Byrom, CEO of All4Maternity as she hosts our upcoming Maternity and Midwifery Hour where she will be joined by Make Birth Better CEO, Laura-Rose Thorogood. Together they will share insights into the collaborative work they are engaged in working towards better births for all who access midwifery, maternity and perinatal care. This is your chance to learn more about the work of Make Birth Better and the Midwifery and Maternity Birth Collective and consider ways we can all move towards better births together, through collaboration.Contributions from:Dr Anna Byrom, CEO, All4MaternityLaura-Rose Thorogood, CEO, Make Birth Better

Series 17 - Episode 3: Postnatal care – Getting it rightDr Lesley Turner, Head of Practice Education (Nursing & Midwifery) Senior Teaching Fellow in Midwifery Care, University of SouthamptonJudith Cutter, Consultant Midwife for Public Health and Vulnerable Families, Cardiff and Vale University Health BoardPostnatal care has often been likened to the Cinderella of the Maternity Services. However, the postnatal period, the time when the new mother is coping with and getting to know her new baby, or babies, dealing with tiredness and physical changes as her body should be returning to it's pre pregnancy condition, as well as the newborn baby requiring care and assessment, is a critical time for women, their babies and families. The midwife has a unique role in providing support and care during this transition, to confirm normality, develop the mothers and family’s confidence in caring for the baby and to act as a link to other services should these be required.In this episode, Dr Lesley Turner will share her findings from the 3rd and 4th published studies in her PhD, which looked at large datasets of shift-level staffing in 3 NHS trusts over 4 years. Understaffing was identified and care consequences were also mapped and Lesley will present findings related to postnatal readmissions and reports of harmful events alongside the implications for staff planning and the direction of future research. We will also hear from Judith Cutter, Consultant Midwife for Public Health and Vulnerable Families, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContributions from:Dr Lesley Turner, Head of Practice Education (Nursing & Midwifery) Senior Teaching Fellow in Midwifery Care, University of SouthamptonJudith Cutter, Consultant Midwife for Public Health and Vulnerable Families, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Series 17 - Episode 2: Sharing the News that a Baby has Down’s Syndrome – Supporting FamiliesDown’s syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of a full or partial third copy of chromosome 21 in the body’s cells. It is sometimes shortened to “Ds” and in some countries called Down syndrome. Approximately one in every 1,000 babies is born with Down’s syndrome. In Scotland, around 70 babies are born each year, with an estimated 4,500 people currently living with the condition.Screening for Down’s syndrome is offered in pregnancy, and families may make different choices: some may opt not to screen, some may choose to screen and continue with the pregnancy, while others may decide differently. Whatever the decision, midwives play a vital role in ensuring families receive clear, up-to-date, and compassionate information.This session, led by Varshali Swadi, Professional Engagement and Development Lead at Down’s Syndrome Scotland, will explore how midwives can best support families when sharing news that a baby has Down’s syndrome. The session will also include a video from a parent speaker, offering insight into lived experience.You will:Gain up-to-date knowledge about Down’s syndrome, associated health issues, and learning profiles.Understand how to provide sensitive support through screening, diagnosis, and the neonatal period.Hear lived experience from a parent of a child with Down’s syndrome.Learn about sources of support available for families and professionals.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Varshali Swadi, Professional Engagement and Development Lead, Down’s Syndrome ScotlandBev Insch, Parent Volunteer, Down's Syndrome ScotlandSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

For those of us who are midwives and those on the pathway to becoming midwives, we know that this vocation is never dull, often a challenge and part of this is coping with changing knowledge and practice - ensuring that we keep up with those changes, absorb the new evidence and add to our existing skills and knowledge set.In this, the first episode of the 17th series of Maternity and Midwifery Hour, we are joined by two midwives who will be highlighting two key areas with us.Stephanie Michaelides, midwifery & neonatal education consultant will be discussing the first examination of the newborn after birth, which traditionally takes place in the birthing room. What do we as midwives need to concentrate on.. and how has this assessment changed over the years?And Dr Anna Madeley, Senior midwifery Lecturer, explores how we, as midwives, can improve issues around consent for women by changing the way we position language in maternity care.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Stephanie Michaelides, Midwifery & Neonatal Education ConsultantDr Anna Madeley, Senior Midwifery Lecturer, University of NorthamptonSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 12: What’s love got to do with midwifery?The need for effective, compassionate and high quality care for women, babies and families is crucial. This week we are joined by Dr Diane Menage and Dr Jenny Patterson, to look at the next step in the story of the role of love and compassion in practice and with our colleagues. This builds on research and evidence in supporting midwives and student midwives to get in touch with how connection and love can impact on their practice, the workplace and the ability to recapture their passion and joy in midwifery practice.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Dr Diane Menage, Lecturer, De Monfort UniversityDr Jenny Patterson, Midwifery lecturer, Edinburgh Napier UniversitySupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 11: The Maternity Safety AgendaHear two maternity leaders on practical steps to improve the safety of maternity care and ensure women the best childbirth experience they can have.At the start of a 6-month government inquiry into Maternity Safety, do you need to understand the issues and challenges?How has the shape and practice of maternity services lost the confidence of government and many women?What do maternity services and midwifery have to do differently in the future?Insights into all these challenges will be explored ahead of the important Royal College of Midwives maternity Safety Summit on 16 July.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Dr Kathryn Gutteridge, Independent Consultant Midwife, Honorary Associate Professor Midwifery and PsychotherapistPast President, Royal College of MidwivesProfessor Mary Renfrew OBE, UK Professors in Midwifery and Maternal and Newborn HealthRead Bio

This week we are looking at research and some of the exciting midwifery focused research projects in progress.This includes the NIHR-funded Research for Equitable Antenatal Care and Health (REACH) Pregnancy Circles Randomised Controlled Trial, which is seeking to improve access to antenatal care and enhance women’s experiences and value of care in areas of high deprivation and high ethnic diversity.The PROMISE study is a project addressing the major disparities in outcomes for black and brown women, by increasing their involvement in health and maternity based research.We are joined by Dr Georgia Clancy, Lead Researcher on the Promise Study, and Professor Christine McCourt, Lead on the REACH Study.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Dr Georgia Clancy, Research Fellow, the PROMISE Study, University of NottinghamProf Christine McCourt, Professor of Maternal and Child Health, City St George’s, University of London; REACH Study LeadSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 9: The Midwife's role in Facilitating Early ConnectionsAs we enter Baby Communication Week, with the theme of 'Born to Connect' highlighted by the Brazelton Centre, this evening we will focus on the complex processes of communication between the baby and those around them.We are joined by Inge Nickell, Director of the Brazelton Centre UK and Stephanie Kinder, Specialist Midwife at North Bristol NHS Trust and Brazelton Champion who will be discussing how midwives can feel confident and knowledgeable in supporting the parents and care givers in understanding how the baby communicates through their behaviour, in order to support the growing parent-infant relationship.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Inge Krogh Nickell, Director of the Brazelton Centre UKStephanie Kinder, Specialist Midwife at North Bristol NHS Trust and Brazelton Champion

Maternal Nutrition - Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence for Midwives with Anna Byrom (All4Maternity) and Marie Louise (The Modern Midwife).

Stillbirth is a deeply challenging outcome of pregnancy, and families often look to their midwives for answers and support. In this session, we’ll explore where genomic testing is becoming a valuable tool in understanding the causes of stillbirth—and where its limitations lie. Through an illustrative case study and discussion of real-world pathways, we’ll highlight how midwives can play a key role in communicating genomic information, supporting informed decisions, and guiding families with empathy and clarity.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Tina Prendeville , Lead Midwife, North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Alliance and Senior Research Midwife, Imperial College LondonDenise Barnes , Lead Midwife for Genomics, North East & Yorkshire Genomic Medicine Service AllianceEmma Tomlinson, Specialist Rainbow Clinic Midwife, Tommy’sSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 7: How babies sleep – from birth towards the first yearA critical part of the midwife’s role is caring for the newborn baby and helping the mother and parents understand more about their baby’s behaviour and care.An important part of the baby’s life is sleep and their sleep pattern, alongside balancing parents’ own needs.In this session we are joined by midwife and neonatal nurse, Stephanie Michaelides, who will discuss the first 48 hours of neonatal life and Professor Helen L Ball, anthropologist and infant sleep researcher, who will bring together the research, anthropological understanding and practice advice that will help practitioners, and most importantly parents, to understand their babies better and navigate the first year of their baby’s life.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Professor Helen Ball, Professor of Anthropology, University of Durham and Director, Durham Infancy & Sleep CentreStephanie Michaelides, Midwife, Neonatal Nurse, and Education ConsultantSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 6: Listening to and engaging with our communitiesHave you thought about working in a different way? Setting up an antenatal class locally or undertaking aromatherapy or complementary therapy work? Or would you like to plan this for the future… or just get better at skills in networking?We are joined by Dr Denise Tiran and Dianne Garland who will share some of their personal experiences, strategies and top tips to help student midwives and midwives gain useful skills and greater confidence for future practice.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Dr Denise Tiran, CEO and Education Director, ExpectancyDianne Garland, SRN RM ADM PGCEA MSc, Midwifery Consultant and AuthorSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Dalvir and Barbara discuss the importance of engaging with diverse communities to improve clinical outcomes, patient experiences and research quality. They share effective strategies for community engagement, highlight success stories and offer practical guidance on how you can apply these approaches in your own clinical practice and research initiatives.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Dalvir Kandola, Consultant Midwife - Lead for Inclusivity, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustBarbara Czyznikowska, Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager, Centre for Ethnic Health Research, University of LeicesterSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Doulas provide practical, emotional and nurturing support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and the early parenthood period. They may be employed privately by the woman, or may be provided for disadvantaged groups of women, whether due to financial, language issues and/or refugee status, providing support and advocacy.In this session, Sallyann Beresford will talk about her role as a Doula, and Trudi Dawson, Director of Doula UK will discuss the UK’s number one source of information for and about doulas. Doula UK offers training, mentoring and ongoing support within the doula community to ensure positive experiences for women and families. Their offering includes the unique Doula Access Fund which can enable women who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, to receive Doula support, and improve the experience of women, babies and families.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Sallyann Beresford, Doula, Author and Antenatal EducatorTrudi Dawson Director of Engagement, Doula UKSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 3: Pregnancy and motherhood in criminal justice settingsWhat impact does prison have on pregnant and childbearing women and how does this affect society in its wider context?Recent media reports have provided a picture of the experience women will have and deeper research and policy work by our speaker this evening, Dr Laura Abbott, Associate Professor of Research at the University of Hertfordshire, hghlights the short and long term effects of prison on women and families. Further, Laura’s work focusses on what needs to be done to improve maternity and neonatal care for women and babies and how prison staff and others can work together to improve the experience and reduce morbidity and poor outcomes.We will also hear about The Lost Mother’s Project, the Pregnancy in Prison Partnership International (PIPPI) and the UK-wide Prison Midwives Action Group (PMAG) and recent creative work in dissemination of research through art and theatre.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Dr Laura Abbott, Associate Professor in Research, The University of HertfordshireSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 2: Consultant Midwives are critical in every crisis: A great Midwifery career - choices, directions and routes.Being a midwife is an exciting, challenging role, where no one day is exactly the same as another. It is crucial that midwives are able to use their commitment and skills in the role that feels positive and professionally rewarding. As a profession we face the impact of difficulties with recruitment and retention, and some practitioners might feel that their current role is not fulfilling, or that they are unable to develop further.This evening we will be looking at careers within midwifery, and how you can choose what route you take within midwifery, what planning might help you reach your goal, and options that are available to help you develop as a midwife. Patience Gyampeh, Consultant midwife and academic joins us to describe her own career pathway, and what she has learned, plus suggesting some key tips to guide you in your choices.Hosted by:Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes MidwiferyContribution from:Patience Gyampeh, Associate Professor of Midwifery, University of Suffolk; Consultant Midwife, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation TrustSupported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live

Series 16 - Episode 1: Early detection, early action: Exploring Awareness of Genomic Testing at the Initial Midwifery AppointmentGenomics is fundamental to midwifery practice and is incorporated into the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Standards of Proficiency for Midwives.It is important that all midwives can talk about genomics with confidence. For many midwives there is a need to upskill, but it can be difficult to know where to start.Find out more about genomics and the midwife’s role at this week’s Maternity and Midwifery Hour.Hosted by:Neil Stewart, Editorial Director, Maternity & Midwifery ForumContribution from:Jo Hargrave, Lead Midwife, East GMSAMarianne Quinn, Lead Midwife, South East GMSAKaren Creed, Lead Midwife, Central and South GMSASupported by MATFLIX: ⁠https://matflix.co.uk⁠Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: ⁠https://mmf.eventbrite.com⁠Watch the live stream: ⁠https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live