Heartbeat: New team of midwives ensure mums-to-be receive continuity of care

October 23, 2019

A new team of midwives will ensure mums-to-be are cared for by the same health professional throughout their pregnancy.

Following the publication of Better Births in 2016, a report into the maternity provision in England and Wales, it was identified that when a woman is cared for by the same midwife, or by another from the same small team, the outcomes of pregnancy are greatly improved.

Sarah Figg and Clare Williams have taken on the roles of continuity leads at our organisation to lead the Willow team, which consists of eight midwives, so that care will reflect the report.

They will each focus on the care of 36 to 38 women a year from the B67 area, providing antenatal, postnatal and intrapartum care. They will also be supporting births at home as well as in the midwifery-led unit, Serenity Suite, and the Delivery Suite, which are both based at City Hospital.

Clare said: “This group of lovely, enthusiastic midwives have totally embraced the concept of providing care for women at every step of their journey and are eager to promote the benefits of continuity to anyone who is willing to listen.

“Sarah and I are currently working on the next model which will provide care for women with uncomplicated pregnancies who will be giving birth in Serenity.

“This will also be a team-based approach with women allocated to a named midwife who will provide most (above 70 per cent) of their care, with midwives known to the patient, caring for them during labour and birth. This is due to launch in September and will cover both the Sandwell and West Birmingham areas.”