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RESEARCH & STATISTICS...
We are so lucky, in this country, to have access to medical support & intervention when it is needed. At times this intervention can be life saving. Sadly, intervention has become the new norm. Maternity Units are encouraging preventative treatment such as Induction of Labour & Caesarean Births, in an attempt to make birth safer & reduce litigation. Unfortunately, research has shown that not only are these interventions causing damage to women & birthing people both physically & emotionally, it is also not reducing the rate of stillbirth. High levels of intervention & associated outcomes leave untold physical & emotional scars on many birthing people.
All of our Midwifery practice is evidence based. We support & empower you throughout your pregnancy, to birth in the right way for you, at home or in the hospital. Using continuity of care, hypnobirthing techniques & aromatherapy we support & empower you to have the right birth on the day. Individualised care, supporting you to make informed decisions surrounding your pregnancy, labour & birth plus your early weeks with your new baby.
We support our clients for all births. Whether planning a physiological vaginal birth or a planned Caesarean birth our support ensures you feel well supported, cared for & safe.
NHS Maternity Statistics 2022/23
This data is taken from the most recent Maternity statistics in England. The rate of intervention, such as induction of labour & Caesarean Section is steadily climbing, whilst unassisted vaginal births are in decline. Unassisted vaginal births over the time period have reduced from 64% to 43%. In contrast induction of labour has increased from 23% to 33% & caesarean rates have also increased from 13% to 23%.
Birth interventions and outcomes for women and children following induction of labour at term in uncomplicated pregnancies.
A recent large study, which was published in the British Medical Journal showed a significant increase in adverse outcomes for birthing people who accepted intervention. Induction of labour was associated with higher levels of epidural/spinal pain relief, higher levels of caesarean birth, instrumental birth, episiotomy, & haemorrhage. The chances of having a caesarean birth following induction significantly increased for all women in the study, however the likelihood for people having their first baby increased 3 fold.
Neonatal outcomes were also poorer. Babies were more likely to need resuscitation, more likely to suffer birth trauma & more likely to be admitted to hospital with infections & sepsis. These health disparities continued up until the end of the study at 16 years.
They found that despite the rising intervention & adverse outcomes for mother & baby, there had been no reduction in babies who were born sleeping. They also found that there was no gestational age where these risks were significantly lower. This is particularly interesting when thinking about the offer of induction becoming earlier.
Their conclusion was that for women & birthing people who do not have a medical indication for induction of labour, the risks of intervention much out weigh any benefits particularly for first time mother's.
Hypnobirthing
A randomised control trial (generally considered the gold standard of research) including 80 pregnant people found a significant increase in physical outcomes & birth satisfaction when compared to the control group. They found that using hypnobirthing techniques made labours shorter, reduced the likelihood of intervention & were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth. Equally importantly, the trial showed that participants in the hypnobirthing cohort, experienced more positive birth experiences, in early labour, established labour & in transition.
Homebirth
The most recent Cochrane review in March 2023 concluded that hospital birth does not improve safety for low risk pregnancies. Birthing your baby at home may lead to increased birth satisfaction, reduced likelihood of intervention. In fact transfer into hospital may actually damage the flow of labour hormones & increase the likelihood of intervention being advised. Cochrane have concluded that there is sufficient evidence that homebirth is safe for low risk pregnancies they have concluded that it may be unethical to complete further Randomised Control Trials.
Continuity of Care
Continuity of care means having your known & trusted Midwife support you throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth & early weeks. The research shows that this is the safest, gold standard of care. In this review 17,674 birthing people were included in 15 trials.
It concluded that having your own, known & trusted Midwife supporting you during your birth reduces the need for pain relief, including epidurals. You are more likely to have a spontaneous physiological birth without intervention. You are less likely to experience a preterm birth & more likely to have a positive birth experience.