Thousands of women are left alone during and shortly after labour, leaving them feeling vulnerable and potentially at risk, a survey shows.
Thousands of women are left alone during and shortly after labour, leaving them feeling vulnerable and potentially at risk, a survey shows.
A Healthcare Commission poll of 26,000 women found one in four had felt worried when left alone by medics.
A Healthcare Commission poll of 26,000 women found one in four had felt worried when left alone by medics.
Midwives said the findings raised concerns as one-to-one care was key to spotting problems that may arise.
Midwives said the findings raised concerns as one-to-one care was key to spotting problems that may arise.
The poll also identified significant variations in care among 148 NHS trusts across England.
The poll also identified significant variations in care among 148 NHS trusts across England.
The main way to solve these problems is simply to improve midwife numbers Louise Silverton, of the Royal College of Midwives
The main way to solve these problems is simply to improve midwife numbers Louise Silverton, of the Royal College of Midwives
In some trusts, one in 10 women said they were left alone at a time that worried them, this compared to a third in some trusts.
In some trusts, one in 10 women said they were left alone at a time that worried them, this compared to a third in some trusts.
The watchdog said the findings suggested midwives were not following official guidelines that women should only be left alone for short periods.
The watchdog said the findings suggested midwives were not following official guidelines that women should only be left alone for short periods.
The poll, which will form part of a national review of services to be published next year, also highlighted a number of other issues.
The poll, which will form part of a national review of services to be published next year, also highlighted a number of other issues.
Some 43% of those surveyed also said they were not given a choice of where they gave birth - again in defiance of guidelines.
Some 43% of those surveyed also said they were not given a choice of where they gave birth - again in defiance of guidelines.
And 36% of women said they were not offered antenatal classes, while over half of women gave birth lying down - a position midwives are meant to discourage.
And 36% of women said they were not offered antenatal classes, while over half of women gave birth lying down - a position midwives are meant to discourage.
A fifth of women also described hospital food a poor.
A fifth of women also described hospital food a poor.
Staffing
Staffing
Louise Silverton, of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "It is a serious concern that too many women are left alone during labour, leaving them feeling worried and vulnerable.
Louise Silverton, of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "It is a serious concern that too many women are left alone during labour, leaving them feeling worried and vulnerable.
"The main way to solve these problems is simply to improve midwife numbers.
"The main way to solve these problems is simply to improve midwife numbers.
This survey shows the huge gap between government promises and the reality in maternity units across the country Norman Lamb Liberal Democrat MP
This survey shows the huge gap between government promises and the reality in maternity units across the country Norman Lamb Liberal Democrat MP
"Without this the government's targets will just be broken promises, and we have seen this too often in the past."
"Without this the government's targets will just be broken promises, and we have seen this too often in the past."
And Mary Newburn, head of policy research at National Childbirth Trust, added one-to-one support improved a woman's "experience and outcomes".
And Mary Newburn, head of policy research at National Childbirth Trust, added one-to-one support improved a woman's "experience and outcomes".
Shadow health minister Anne Milton said the findings revealed "serious problems with the government's maternity strategy".
Shadow health minister Anne Milton said the findings revealed "serious problems with the government's maternity strategy".
And Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb added: "This survey shows the huge gap between government promises and the reality in maternity units across the country."
And Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb added: "This survey shows the huge gap between government promises and the reality in maternity units across the country."
Dr Gwyneth Lewis, the government's maternity services expert, said it would help health professionals focus attention on the areas that needed improving.
Dr Gwyneth Lewis, the government's maternity services expert, said it would help health professionals focus attention on the areas that needed improving.
She added: "It is encouraging that the vast majority of respondents reported their care during labour and birth as being "excellent", "very good" or "good".
She added: "It is encouraging that the vast majority of respondents reported their care during labour and birth as being "excellent", "very good" or "good".
"We want to see these positive experiences replicated throughout the entire process."
"We want to see these positive experiences replicated throughout the entire process."
What is your experience of care after childbirth? Do you feel you had enough support through labour? Are you a midwife or nurse? Should more time be spent with women going into labour and more care available after a birth? Tell us your thoughts.
