Majority of Women Report Positive Experiences with NHS Maternity Services, New Study Finds

An independent assessment of NHS initiatives launched in 2019 to cut stillbirth rates across England has revealed that most women have a favorable experience with maternity care, including pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum support.

Research conducted by the University of Manchester analyzed responses from over a thousand women and healthcare professionals in 2023. The findings were published in two peer-reviewed journals, BMJ Open Quality and BMJ Quality and Safety. The study highlighted that approximately 89% of women felt positively about their antenatal care, and 86% reported satisfying labor and birth experiences.

Despite these encouraging results, the surveys also uncovered ongoing issues such as poor communication, lack of personalized care, staff shortages, and delays, which continue to affect some women’s experiences.

The 'Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle' (SBLCB), introduced in 2015 as part of the UK Government’s efforts to address comparatively high stillbirth rates, has undergone several updates—version 2 in 2016, version 3 in 2019, and version 4 in 2023—with each iteration aiming to improve outcomes and care quality. The latest evaluation found successful implementation across most NHS maternity units, emphasizing the crucial role of frontline midwives and staff in delivering these protocols.

Women’s positive experiences were closely linked to feeling heard, being actively involved in decision-making, and enjoying effective communication with healthcare providers. Patients appreciated when staff acknowledged their medical history and freely answered their questions.

However, negative experiences still persisted, largely due to inadequate communication, inconsistent care, and resource shortages like beds and staff. Women reported feeling dismissed when expressing concerns, particularly regarding fetal movements or during labor, often due to disjointed care caused by electronic record changes or poor coordination among staff.

Professor Alexander Heazell from the University of Manchester noted that 89% of women reported positive antenatal experiences, and 86% positively assessed labor and birth. He emphasized that improvements are ongoing but highlighted the importance of refining communication and personalized care approaches.

Further insights from a second study published in BMJ Quality and Safety stressed the importance of building trust through continuity of care and involving partners in decision-making. Lead author Dr. Holly Reid pointed out that when women felt listened to and believed, their maternity experience became safer and more positive. Conversely, feeling ignored or disbelieved led to distress and perceived risks.

Experts advocate for additional training for maternity staff on effective communication and shared decision-making. These improvements aim to balance standardized clinical practices with personalized, woman-centered care, ultimately enhancing safety, satisfaction, and overall maternity experience.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-women-positive-nhs-maternity.html