S4 Ep 13 - March with midwives

Maternity care is in crisis. Midwives are leaving the profession in droves. Staffing issues, trouble with retention and newly qualified midwives leaving before they finish training, along with COVID and illness has meant families are not getting the care they not only deserve but need. Midwives themselves are burnt out and suffering, with one third coping with PTSD and 96% of student midwives reporting mental health problems. The March with midwives movement looks to raise awareness of the issues and the impact this has on midwives themselves, and the families they support. I speak to Elle Fleming, a doula and new mum, and Millie, a midwife who has been forced out of a profession she loves in order to protect her own well being. If you’d like to join the vigils on Sunday 21st November visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/marchwithmidwivesuk/ for details of your local march.