I Was A Midwife. Now I See What Happens When Women Aren't Heard

"I have spoken to women whose genuine concerns were dismissed outright by midwives and/or doctors."

I used to work as a midwife, now I’m a medical negligence solicitor specialising in maternity care – so, it’s fair to say I was heavily invested in the outcome of this week’s report from the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation.

The 174-page report on the state of England’s maternity care reiterated what many have known for years: too many women and their babies are being failed by a system that is, as Baroness Valerie Amos described it, “not fit for the now” and “not fit for the future”.

I am of course disappointed, but not surprised, by the findings.

My experience closely reflects many of the concerns identified in the Amos report. I agree that the maternity service is in desperate need of an overhaul and that it is time to send in the cavalry. But is there a cavalry to send in?

The report highlighted numerous themes that have impacted women and their families time and time again – themes which I come across repeatedly in my work as a solicitor.

1. Women are not being listened to

One extremely prevalent issue is that women are not being listened to, heard or believed when they flag issues.

This is one of the most common issues that maternity clients complain to me about. Many a time maternity care practitioners exhibit the “we know best” attitude, that they know more about the woman’s body than she does.

I have spoken to women whose genuine concerns were dismissed outright by........

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