One in five women say concerns during childbirth were not taken seriously

Almost one in five women feel their concerns were not taken seriously by healthcare professionals during childbirth, according to the “concerning” results of a national survey of maternity experiences.

- Tobi Thomas Health and inequalities correspondent

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey of almost 17,000 women who gave birth across England in NHS settings this year found that 15% felt that they had not been given relevant advice or support when they contacted a midwife at the start of their labour, while 18% said their concerns had not been taken seriously.

One in 10 of respondents reported that they had been left alone during their maternity care at a time that worried them, 7% of which was “during the later stages of labour”.

The results of the survey came after the Labour peer Valerie Amos, who is overseeing a national investigation into maternity care, said women were experiencing “unacceptable” maternity care, including poor communication, a lack of empathy, and in some cases discrimination against women from minority ethnic and working-class backgrounds.