Maternity care ‘in crisis’ as pregnant women are forced to delay induced deliveries

Pregnant women are being forced to wait days longer than expected for “urgent” inductions of labour as NHS staff shortages and a lack of beds lead to severe delays.

New mothers told i the delays, which the health watchdog has found can last up to five days, increased the anxiety they felt during labour.

One first-time mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that her ordeal has put her off having any more children. The woman, who gave birth to a son in August, said she was “pushed” to book an induction when her waters broke and her baby was almost two weeks overdue. Despite being told by multiple healthcare professionals she needed to “give birth within 24 hours” due to a risk of infection, she did not end up delivering her baby for another 49 hours – without being induced.

A birthing expert told i she has “never seen a crisis in maternity” like it during her almost 10 years working in the sector.

It comes after it was revealed that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) watchdog has issued warnings to seven hospitals due to delays to the induction of labour since last year.

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Source: inews, 5 November 2023