Speaker: Sarah Esegbona-Adeigbe
Facilitator: Constance Odonkor
A woman is more likely to die in the UK during pregnancy if she is Black, a recent migrant and has had inadequate pregnancy care. Cultural influences on reduced attendance for pregnancy care has been connected to Black migrant maternal deaths for twenty years. My study’s findings show that migrant Black women are not asked about their culture when attending for pregnancy care and they either choose to hide or reveal their culture.
A persons’ culture is colourful and complex, an aura that is visible and invisible. The seen and unseen nature of culture makes it difficult to decipher an individuals needs, as culture may be practised differently depending on the environment and wider society.
Culture may influence all aspects of a persons’ life including their health seeking behaviour and healthcare decisions. The missed opportunity to explore migrant womens’ cultural needs during pregnancy means that important aspects of their health needs are unexplored and therefore, not included in their pregnancy care provision.
Speaker: Roisin Lennon
Facilitator: Adebukunola Olajumoke Afolabi
Background: Labour hopscotch, a visual tool that encourages activity during pregnancy and childbirth, has been used in one advanced midwife practitioner (AMP) service since 2017 and in Ireland since 2020. A rise in caesarean births and birth weights over 4kg, prompted the introduction of targeted weight gain as per Institute of Medicines (IOM) guidelines in 2022. Conversations about healthy eating and exercise in pregnancy occur at each antenatal visit with the labour hopscotch being a visual prompt to facilitate fetal optimal positioning.
Findings: Annual retrospective audits of both interventions have demonstrated the benefits of using them. Body mass index (BMI) rates over 25 account for 61-63% of the AMP caseload. Excess weight gain was 24% (2023) and 29% (2024) with a resulting EMCS rate of 42% (2023) and 29% (2024) which is higher than the AMP 16% (2023) and 19% (2024). Before the interventions, there was a 57% spontaneous onset of labour (SOL) rate, with 33% birthing before 41 weeks. After the implementation, there was a 72% SOL rate 2023 and 73% 2024. In 2023 92% birthed before 41 weeks and 83% in 2024. IOL dropped from 43% to 28% (2023) and 27% (2024), with emergency caesarean section (EMCS) rates following induction dropping from 33% to 23% (2023) and 25% (2024).
Conclusions: Pregnancy is an opportunity to encourage healthy eating and exercise. These interventions should be viewed as a long-term investment by reducing maternal and childhood complications associated with excess pregnancy weight gain as demonstrated in these retrospective audits
Speaker: Carla Godoy
Facilitator: Susana Ku
Las parteras desempeñan un papel fundamental en la salud y el bienestar de nuestras comunidades, pero han enfrentan desafÃos como la falta de reconocimiento, apoyo institucional y oportunidades laborales. Es esencial fortalecer su rol, generar empleo y garantizar el respeto por su labor.
Más que un oficio, ser partera es una vocación que implica acompañar a las madres en momentos cruciales con profesionalismo y seguridad. Sin embargo, a pesar de su importancia histórica, muchas veces no reciben el reconocimiento que merecen. Para cambiar esta realidad, es clave impulsar oportunidades laborales en hospitales, clnicas y programas comunitarios de salud.
La solución pasa por la organización, la creación de redes de apoyo y la búsqueda de alianzas con el sector público y privado. Al unir fuerzas, es posible reducir el desempleo dentro de la comunidad de parteras y asegurar que su labor sea vista como indispensable para el bienestar social.
El camino hacia un mayor reconocimiento y estabilidad laboral requiere compromiso y trabajo conjunto. La unión de las parteras es su mayor fortaleza para lograr que su profesión sea valorada y esencial en la sociedad.
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Midwives play a fundamental role in the health and well-being of our communities, but they have faced challenges such as a lack of recognition, institutional support, and job opportunities. It is essential to strengthen their role, create jobs, and ensure respect for their work.
More than a profession, being a midwife is a vocation that involves accompanying mothers in crucial moments with professionalism and confidence. However, despite their historical importance, they often do not receive the recognition they deserve. To change this reality, it is key to promote job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and community health programs.
The solution lies in organization, the creation of support networks, and the pursuit of partnerships with the public and private sectors. By joining forces, it is possible to reduce unemployment within the midwifery community and ensure that their work is seen as indispensable to social well-being.
The path to greater recognition and job stability requires commitment and collaborative work. The unity of midwives is their greatest strength in ensuring that their profession is valued and essential in society.
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