Postcode lottery of NHS maternity care for twins, triplets and higher multiples puts babies’ lives at risk across the country
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 27th November 2015
Multiple births report reveals ‘shocking variations’ in care:
Postcode lottery of NHS maternity care for twins, triplets and higher multiples puts babies’ lives at risk across the country
Following the release of the Twins and Multiple Birth Association (TAMBA) and NCT report on multiple birth today, Doula UK’s Head of Internal Communications, Mars Lord, said “we know that women are often fearful because they can’t expect consistency in maternity care, so these findings are of course very worrying. Our research shows that continuity of care is of utmost importance to all women, including those with complex pregnancies. Such variations in care put mothers and babies at risk, and we watch with interest to see how hospital trusts will respond to the report’s findings.”
Doula UK is a non-profit association of doulas operating across the UK, many of whom regularly support women and their families with multiple births and postnatally. Its member doulas work with women and their families to prepare for the birth of their baby (or babies), helping them to fully explore their options, make informed choices during labour, and supporting them as they adjust to life with a newborn.
To find out more about Doula UK and its network of doulas visit www.doula.org.uk
ENDS
For more information please contact Lizzie Jarvis on
07964 894891 or pr@doula.org.uk
Spokespeople are available for comment and photos can be provided
Notes to Editor
A joint report released today by the Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) and NCT reveals shocking variations in the care multiple birth mothers and babies receive across England. The report found that multiple birth babies born in the South East and West Midlands receive the worst standard of care, whilst those born in the North East received the best care. It also found that each multiple birth baby is twice as likely to be stillborn as a singleton, and almost five times more likely to die in neonatal care. The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show multiple birth stillbirth rates rose by 13.6% between 2013 and 2014.
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The full report can be read here.
