New mothers ‘not sufficiently warned of postnatal care risks’

A new report has highlighted shortfalls in the quality of care and advice new mothers are receiving in postnatal settings.

In a survey by Netmums, 47 percent said that they were not told within 24 hours of giving birth about the crucial signs and symptoms of potentially life-threatening conditions for them and their newborn, while only 24 percent recalled received information on what to look for.

Meanwhile, a poll by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) revealed that 36 per cent of midwives and maternity support workers said that they would like to be able to do more for mothers and babies. 

The report suggested funding and efficiency problems are the cause of this, with only 24 percent of midwives saying the number of postnatal visits women received was determined by their actual needs, compared to 65 percent saying it was governed by a hospital's organisational pressures.

RCM chief executive Cathy Warwick said: "We fear that financial belt-tightening and the shortage of midwives, particularly in England, means women leaving maternity units too early and being short-changed when it comes to postnatal visits."