There are calls for women, who become pregnant after losing their baby, to have the same maternity team
SANDS have launched a new campaign called #AlwaysThere
There are calls for women in West Yorkshire, who become pregnant after losing their baby, to have the same maternity team.
According to SANDS, Independent research has shown that mothers who receive continuity of care are:
16 per cent less likely to lose their baby
19 per cent less likely to lose their baby before 24 weeks
24 per cent less likely to experience pre-term birth
Carrie Waddingham, from Leeds, received support from Sands after her twin babies died when she was 16 weeks pregnant in 2018, due to twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP sequence), a rare condition of monochorionic twin pregnancies.
She became pregnant again later that year and was cared for by the same maternity team throughout pregnancy and the birth of her son, who was born safe and well in 2019.
Carrie said:
“During our second pregnancy I suffered with severe anxiety and PTSD from the previous experience and my midwifery team were so good and I was able to get the right support for my mental health, extra checks and scans for peace of mind.
“It was nice to always see members of the same team and I was really happy to see the midwife I had in community to induce my labour and then again for post-natal check-ups. It felt really nurturing and made me feel at ease in a really emotional and tense situation. It didn’t feel like I was on a conveyer belt but that my pregnancy and birth really mattered.”
Sands Chief Executive Clea Harmer said:
“Our Always There campaign aims to save lives and improve care by ensuring all women who are pregnant following loss can choose to have the same maternity team who are always there to care for them and their baby.
“For any pregnant mother, having familiar faces caring for her can help develop a vital relationship of trust and this is particularly important for those who are pregnant following loss. When a single midwife or team of midwives cares for a woman and her family, there is more opportunity to hear and understand their individual needs and concerns."