Series 20 - Episode 2: Birth, Safety and Beyond: Understanding Women’s Experiences At a time when maternity services across England are facing intense scrutiny, what does it mean to put women and families genuinely at the centre of maternity care? The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, chaired by Baroness Valerie Amos, and the extensive independent review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, have highlighted serious concerns about safety, culture, communication and the extent to which women's voices are heard and acted upon. Against this backdrop, Episode 2 of Season 20 of Maternity & Midwifery Hour looks beyond individual incidents and asks important questions about women's experiences of pregnancy, birth and the transition into parenthood. Dr Carmen Power, Writer, Researcher and Educator, explores birth trauma, bonding and baby behaviour, considering how experiences around birth can affect the developing relationship between mother and baby and what professionals need to understand about the behaviour of babies and families following a difficult birth. We are also joined by Anna Melamed, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, to discuss woman-centred antenatal safety assessment. Her presentation considers how safety assessment can move beyond a purely clinical checklist to recognise the individual woman, her circumstances, her concerns and the importance of listening to what she is telling us. At a moment when the future of maternity services is being shaped by major investigations and reviews, this episode brings the conversation back to the individual woman and baby: how can we make maternity care safer while ensuring that women feel heard, respected and supported? Join us live for another hour of conversation, insight and learning for everyone working in maternity and midwifery. Sue MacdonaldDr Carmen Power, Writer, Researcher and EducatorAnna Melamed, Senior Lecturer, University of the West of England
