The Maternity & Midwifery Hour

10.9 94% Continuity of Care for women – the New Zealand way

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode we looked at continuity of care with a wider lens. Sam will explore how a very small team designed and implemented the maternity care ...

10.8 Spiritual meanings in childbirth: the role of the midwife

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Historically, in all cultures, midwives have had a close connection with spirituality, and with religion. So as we look at contemporary care, do we ne...

10.7 Communicating with babies

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Series 10 - Episode 7: Communicating with babies We know that baby’s ways of communication, and how we communicate with them is important. This week...

10.6 Waterbirth: Calm seas or stormy waters?

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this session, renowned international midwifery expert Dianne Garland discusses the current evidence around water use during labour and birth, paren...

10.5 Oxytocin Collective Care - The art & interdisciplinary strategies

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Series 10 - Episode 5: Oxytocin Collective Care - The art & interdisciplinary strategies This week’s episode looks at Oxytocin Collective Ca...

10.4 Baby loss - supporting black and mixed-black women

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Series 10 - Episode 4: Baby loss - supporting black and mixed-black women Black and mixed Black heritage women in the UK experience pregnancy and inf...

10.3 Implementing Maternity and Midwifery Continuity – public support

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Each year more research is published extending our knowledge about the health benefits of relational care, midwifery continuity of carer for women, b...

10.2 Celebrating International Day of the Midwife

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The International Day of the Midwife is a chance to reflect on what we have achieved and what midwives contribute to the health and wellbeing of women...

10.1 Entonox – Its use and implications

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many years, Entonox ‘Gas and air’ has been a treasured form of pain relief during labour. Recently interest in the media has highlighted other...

9.13 The Student Midwife integrated Learning Environment (SMiLE) Clinic

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This session looks at a student led model of learning for student midwives in the form of a student led postnatal clinic within maternity service. The...

9.12 Examination of the Newborn – Are we ready?

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is an overview of the examination of the newborn, looking briefly at its history, the NMC requirements, and what this means for student m...

9.11 Anya - 5 easy antenatal infant feeding wins

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

5 Easy wins with expectant parents How do you make the antenatal infant feeding and relationship-building information that you know you need to share,...

9.10 Tools and mindsets to sustain you as a midwife

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode you will need a piece of paper and pen, plus a glass of water (or wine!) before we start the session! There is no quick fix for sust...

9.9 Listening and Learning: Emotional Support and Advocacy

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome back Midwife Faiza Rehman, who set up the Raham Project in Peterborough, to provide support to mothers and families from ethnic minorities,...

9.8 Psychological Challenges of Being a Midwife

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The importance of nurturing midwives’ mental health and reducing the risk of burnout and the impact of trauma exposure has been brought into stark r...

9.7 Perinatal Mental Health and Well-being

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this session, we are exploring the issue of perinatal mental health, and its short and long-term effects on women, their families and babies. This...

9.6 Supporting Breastfeeding: Bottles, Draughts & Medications

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This session looks at some issues around breastfeeding, recent research in bottle refusal by breastfed babies, and the intricacies of discussion about...

9.5 Continuity of Care: The Added Benefits

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This session will revisit the NHS England Transformation agenda, reviewing where we are in terms of continuity of care in midwifery services. We will ...

9.4 Midwifery Staffing Levels and the Impact on Postnatal Care

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores some of the factors that can contribute to better outcomes for women, their babies and families in their experience of postnatal...

9.3 Cervical Ripening at Home: The Choice Study

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cervical ripening is a process of softening and opening the cervix before labour starts. Traditionally, cervical ripening has been performed entirely ...

9.2 Women’s experiences of obstetric violence

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Globally, significant numbers of women report obstetric violence (OV) during childbirth. The United Nations has identified obstetric violence as gende...

9.1 Increasing self-agency in maternity to reduce violence and harm

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Series 9 - Episode 1: Safer beginnings – Increasing self-agency in maternity to reduce violence and harm  Kay details the Safer Beginnings prog...

8.14 Christmas Special

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery Contributions from: Dr Kathryn Gutteridge, Independent Consultant Midwife & Psych...

8.13 Developing Global Midwifery Education – Part 2

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery Biographies Maeve O'Connell Maeve is a Registered Midwife and Nurse. Coming from Cork i...

8.12 Let's talk sustainability: Climate Conscious Care in Maternity

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The importance of being aware of the limited resources of the planet, protecting our ecological systems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, may see...

8.11 OASI2 – Reducing Severe Tears

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Can you reduce and recognise severe tears?   In this episode, Lizzie Phillips asks if midwives can change the story of women's pelvic health, sha...

8.10 Language and Cultural Issues Informed Consent in Maternity

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our research project examined informed consent during pregnancy, labour, and birth in the case of parents with limited English-proficiency (LEP) in Sc...

8.9 Iron Deficiency in Mums - Optimising Health in the Postnatal Period

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The weeks following birth, also referred to as the fourth trimester, are a critical period for both mother and baby, setting the foundations for long-...

8.8 Caesarean Section – Midwives’ Role in Recovery

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Giving birth by Caesarean Section can be challenging for women and their families, as they cope with recovering after major surgery and caring for a n...

8.6 Strengthening Midwifery Voices - Setting the Agenda

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this session we are looking at current challenges facing maternity care, and midwives. We will look at strategies to shine brightly, using differen...

8.5 Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Series 8 - Episode 5: World Mental Health Day Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) We are joined for this episode by a world expert on ICP as w...

8.4 Research on Student Experience

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Series 8 - Episode 4: Research on the Student Experience This session focuses on research into student midwives’ perspectives, both before they come...

8.3 Waterbirth - The Evidence

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Waterbirth - the evidence  Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery  Contributions from:  Dr Claire Feeley, Research...

8.2 Going for Gold - UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative in the University

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Going for Gold - UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative in the University  Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery  Contri...

8.1 Personal and professional challenges

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Personal and professional challenges  Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery  Contributions from: Dr Denise Tiran, CEO...

7.13 Power, Hierarchy & Staff Safety in Maternity Services

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this session we are looking at truly cutting-edge research work into the influences of power and hierarchy on staff safety and wellbeing; the under...

7.12 Coping Strategies for Midwives

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this session we are exploring current challenges facing maternity care and midwives. We will look at strategies to shine brightly, with Radha Wilso...

7.11 Women’s Experiences of Post-traumatic Growth Following Traumatic Birth

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Women’s experiences of post-traumatic growth following traumatic birth In this session we will be exploring womens' experience of traumatic birth, t...

7.10 Voices From the Student Front

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Voices From the Student Front   Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery  Contributions from: Nicky Clark, Head of Midwif...

7.9 Highlights from the Northern Maternity and Midwifery Festival 2022

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maternity and Midwifery Hour Series 7 - Episode 9: Highlights from the Northern Maternity and Midwifery Festival 2022 Presentations include: Cancer ...

7.8 Passion, Empathy and Burnout in Lactation Support

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The need for support, and the impact of stress on those providing support for breastfeeding mothers led Professor Amy Brown to explore the wellbeing o...

7.7 Reflections from Personalised care

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sue and Zahra will discuss the one-day programme for maternity and midwifery professionals and policy makers building on the recommen...

7.6 Developing a Perinatal Pelvic Health Service

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The need to address perinatal pelvic health was highlighted by the NHS announcement in 2021 the that NHS Pelvic Health Clinics would be set up to supp...

7.5 Midwives Moving to Higher Education

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is it a career move to education for you? Midwives moving to higher education - exploring the issues. Midwifery education in Indonesia, developing a c...

7.4 Abortion & Bullying on the Agenda

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we look at two important issues that are facing midwives, midwifery and maternity services. My Uterus - a reflection on Roe vs Wade with ...

7.3 Career Spotlight

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How much of a plan did you have for your career as a midwife when you were in your training? Did you know what direction you wanted to go in? Are you ...

7.2 International Day of the Midwife 2022

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thursday 5 May midwives across the world are celebrating International Day of the Midwife 2022. This time of celebration will reflect on progress in ...

Series 7.1 Highlights from the Midlands Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2022

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the recent Ockenden report about a UK maternity trust, it was pointed out that midwives and staff had been prevented from speaking out. In this hou...

13. Improving choices and care for women; groups, resources and services

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is really important that midwives listen to and work with women, organisations, and individuals who will enrich their care.  The Raham Project...

12. Inspiring and supporting mothers and families: Parent-craft and antenatal education online

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For many years, parentcraft and preparation for childbirth and early parenting has been delivered face to face – utilising a group approach, with so...

11. Cleared for take-off – Reflections on Continuity of Care

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cleared for take-off – Reflections on Continuity of Care And what does continuity of care mean for midwives, and for the service? Some people are an...

10. Providing Empowerment & Care to Pregnant & Childbearing Migrants/Refugees

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Providing empowerment and care to pregnant and childbearing migrants/refugees The last couple of years has led to many people seeking a new, safe home...

9. Developing Global Midwifery

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring how midwifery and midwifery education is being developed around the world.   Join us to find out more.   Hosted by: Sue Macdonald,...

8. Pregnant Women in Prison

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

About 600 pregnant women enter prison in England each year, with about 50 pregnant at any one time, and about 100 births occur annually. Davies’ (20...

7. Personalised Care: Working Together

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Personalised care means people have choice and control over the way their care is planned and delivered. It is based on ‘what matters’ to them and...

6. Perinatal Mental Health

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Perinatal mental health (PMH) problems are those which occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. Perinatal mental il...

5. Postnatal Care – Who Cares?

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This session addresses the provision and access to postnatal care, long described as the Cinderella of maternity care. Do we place enough focus, time,...

4. Delivery Room Cuddles for Extremely Preterm Babies – What/Why/How?

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring the care of the newborn, in particular, the extremely preterm infant, and their parents. Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert,&...

3. Personalised Care: Insights from research

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Having discussed extensively how midwives facilitate out of guideline birth choices, Dr Claire Feeley's presentation will focus on midwives' experienc...

2. Delivering Early Breastfeeding Support - achieving sustainability

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The short and long term benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and their babies are well known. How can we, as midwives and health care workers, suppor...

1. Minding your Mental Health: Midwives in Mind - and Heart

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year and welcome to Season 6 of the Maternity & Midwifery Hour!  We find ourselves in the epicentre of a new COVID-19 storm. The re...

Christmas Special 2021 - with Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Sheena Byrom and more!

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have a stellar line up of LIVE speakers to see out the year - our regular host Sue Macdonald is joined by Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE, Sh...

14. Love, Birth, Physiology and Oxytocin

11 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This hour, we will be looking at the power and potential of physiology around pregnancy, birth, and postnatal periods. This includes a look at how we ...

13. Improving Parents’ Experiences – ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ & The Maternal Journal

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This evening we are sharing two new initiatives. The first is the new Birthrights film: Speak up, Speak Out’ film, which highlights the importance o...

12. Midwives as Innovators / Midwifing the Midwife - Scotland Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2021

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at the Scotland Maternity & Midwifery Festival on Tuesday 23rd November, 2021. Cass McNamara, Chief Executive, Birthsparks Ltd. - Mi...

11. Covid Mums, Covid Babies – Prof Amy Brown

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

COVID-19 has impacted hugely on all of us, and in particular those in the health services. Maternity Services underwent massive changes in efforts to ...

10. Prof Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE & Fran McConville, WHO - *Highlights from the Student Midwife Experience Festival*

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Highlights from the Student Midwife Experience Festival 2021  International perspective - Fran McConville, Midwifery Adviser, World Health Organi...

9. Career Pathways - How I Got Here: Becoming & Being a Student Midwife

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Student Midwife Festival pre-programme - get to know everything about the festival day.   Student Midwife Experience Festival | Wed 10 Nov, L...

8. Relational Connected Care for Future Midwives

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re exploring the needs and experiences of student midwives and how to enable effective learning environments to transform practice. Int...

7. Continuity of Care – Part 2: The Vision and the Reality

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this session, we look at how Continuity of Care can be organised, hearing from midwives about how they have engaged with CoC models, and what it ha...

6. Complexity of Care: Our Afghan Women & Baby Loss Awareness Week

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are looking at how midwives can meet the needs of Afghan women, especially in the context of the recent events in Afghanistan. We will co...

5. What Next for Continuity of Care? – Part 1

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this session, we look at how Continuity of Care can be organised, hearing from midwives about how they have engaged with CoC models, and what it ha...

4. Microbiome: Benefits to Baby - Dr Emer Gilligan & Claire Ryan

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is the microbiome and why does it matter?  Let the experts explain! Episode 4 of season 5 of the Maternity & Midwifery Hour Contributio...

3. Nurturing Midwives & Student Midwives - Dr Sally Pezaro & Deepa Santhosh

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Midwives have always been busy and over this last year, have been, and felt, even more so. With some staff redeployed, and some off sick, sometimes mi...

2. Highlights from the Wales & South West Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2021

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in for three exceptional presentations from our first hybrid festival (part digital, part in-person in Cardiff City Stadium), which took place th...

1. The Language of the New Midwifery Standards - Dr Jacqui Williams & Verena Wallace MBE, NMC

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 1 of Season 5 of the Maternity & Midwifery Hour.  Welcome back! Dr Jacqui Williams & Verena Wallace MBE from the NMC - The Langua...

13. Nurturing and Caring for the Team – Dr Jan Smith, Dr Tina South & Kara Davies

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nurturing and Caring for the Team   Episode 13 of Series 4 of the Maternity & Midwifery Hour   Hosted By: Sue Macdonald, Curator, Matern...

12. International Trends: Highlights from the 32nd ICM Congress – Kaveri Mayra & Dianne Garland

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

International trends: Highlights from the 32nd International Confederation of Midwives Congress Hosted by: Neil Stewart, Editorial Director, Maternity...

11. Pelvic Floor Health – Teresa Gernon & Abigail Holmes

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is estimated that 7 million women in the UK suffer from urinary incontinence, usually during and after pregnancy and childbirth, yet, for many year...

10. Birth Trauma – Rachael McGrath & Dr Maeve O’Connell

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

About 30,000 women a year, according to the most recent research, experience birth trauma in the UK. This episode will explore birth trauma, its impac...

9. Meeting the Needs of Pregnant Women with Disabilities – Trudy Williams & Cheryl Edwards

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Getting over the Bump Service at St George’s is the only collaborative midwife/occupational therapy service in the UK that works in partnership ...

8. Postnatal Care: New NICE Guidelines – David Jewell & Nina Khazaezadeh

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The recently published NICE Guideline on Postnatal Care is an essential tool and support for midwives and students in providing evidence based and app...

7. Midwives and the Menopause - Debra Holloway

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The menopause will happen to all women and as a largely female profession midwives and student midwives need to know about it, for their own wellbeing...

6. Being a New Mum: The Rhetoric and the Reality – Professor Amy Brown

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Amy Brown is well known for her humorous and forthright approach to dissecting modern day media narratives and cultural pressures around mot...

5. Focusing on the Fetus & Newborn: The Midwife's Role – Dr Mary Sheridan & Sorcha Magee

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode of the Maternity & Midwifery Hour will focus on the newborn will explore the midwife’s role in newborn assessment and feta...

4. International Day of the Midwife - Professor Lesley Page CBE & Sarah Esegbona-Adeigbe

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 4: International Day of the Midwife - with Professor Lesley Page CBE, Visiting Professor in Midwifery at King’s College, London and Adjunct ...

3. Learning about Culture, Race, and Bias in Midwifery Practice - Alicia Burnett & Sheridan Thomas

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Listen for an overview of All 4 Maternity’s new eLearn modules on culture, race and bias in midwifery practice from the Student Midwife Journal’s ...

2. Midwives Getting Creative: Methods in education & research – Dr Jenny Hall & Lindsay Hobbs

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Remember the knitted midwives of 2016? This hour explores creativity – including crafting, quilting and knitting. These skills are not merely practi...

1. 'The pen is mightier...' - Finding the Right Words: Sharing & Influencing - Leah Hazard & Natalie Corden

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How important is it to be able to share and talk about issues within midwifery – the stresses, and the joys, challenges and the achievements? In thi...

12. Reflections: One Year On & Unconscious Bias: Time for Action - with Lola Ornato

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 12 of Series 3 of the Maternity and Midwifery Hour This session will be the last in Series 3, we look forward to welcoming you back for series...

11. What Women Want: Continuity of Carer - Helen Hunt & Steph Leach

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This session will share continuity of care from a midwife and new midwives' perspective, illustrating some of the demands and challenges of this appro...

10. Chai & Chat with ASAMidwives - Nafiza Anwar & Sundas Khalid

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Association of South Asian Midwives (ASAM) is a platform for the South Asian Midwifery Workforce and birthing community. Statistics show that South As...

9. Let's Look At... Postnatal Care - Elizabeth Duff, NCT & Logan Van Lessen

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's Look At... Postnatal Care is an opportunity for us to reflect over the last year of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and think about what we have learned,...

8. Haemoglobinopathies: Supporting Women & Families - Dr Rachel Kesse-Adu, Dr Emma Drasar & Joyce Adu-Amankwah

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are delighted to welcome Joyce Adu- Amankwah, Dr Rachel Kesse-Adu, Dr Emma Drasar who are joining the Maternity and Midwifery Hour again to address...

7. Key findings from the MBRRACE-UK Report - Kim Morley & Joy Palmer

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In January 2021 the latest MBRRACE report (Mothers and Babies Reducing Risk through Audit and Confidential Enquiries) was published. In this episode o...

6. Nurturing Positive Mental Health During the Pandemic - Fatima Ghauoch, Sam Tennyson, Louise Speakman & Dr Rebecca Moore

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 6 of Series 3 of the Maternity and Midwifery Hour: Nurturing Positive Mental Health During the Pandemic Guest host: Dr Sheena Byrom OBE,&nbs...

5. COVID Vaccine: Safety, Comparisons & Misinformation - Dr Ken Hodson & Linda Machakaire

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every day, healthcare professionals and the public are bombarded with information and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines.  Join this week...

4. Parents' Voices - Mark Williams & Professor Julia Sanders

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last few months, we have been very aware of some of the changes made in maternity services in order to ensure safety and services of women an...

3. Thalassaemia in pregnancy: what to look for, screening and how to manage it - Joyce Adu-Amankwah & Dr Emma Drasar

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Following on from our programme on blood disorders in Series 2, this episode will take a closer look at Thalassaemia in pregnancy - what it is, how to...

2. *London Festival Highlights* - Prof Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE, CMO, Pat Schan and David Green, PHE

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 2 of Series 3 of the Maternity and Midwifery Hour:  Highlights from the London Maternity & Midwifery online Festival 2021 (13.01.21) ...