NHS Maternity Crisis: 1 in 5 Women Ignored During Labour

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Women’s Experiences in NHS Maternity Services

A recent report highlights that one in five women do not feel their concerns during labor are taken seriously, pointing to significant issues within the National Health Service (NHS) maternity services. Many new and expectant mothers face challenges in receiving the support they need or feel uncertain about the guidance provided.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) conducted a major survey involving 16,750 women who used NHS maternity services in February of this year. While there have been some improvements over the past year, overall satisfaction levels remain largely unchanged, with persistent problems continuing to affect the experiences of many women.

One of the key findings is that approximately one in 10 women were left alone during times of concern either in the later stages of labor or during birth. This issue has remained consistent over recent years. Women who had the same midwife throughout their pregnancy generally reported more positive experiences. However, those from the most deprived areas were less likely to feel treated with dignity and respect.

Improvements in Certain Areas

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments. For instance, 89% of women said they were always spoken to in a way they could understand by staff providing antenatal care, an increase from 88% the previous year. Additionally, 81% of women felt they were always given enough time to ask questions or discuss their pregnancy, up from 80% in 2024 and 73% in 2021. Furthermore, 77% of women felt they were always involved in decisions about their care during labor and birth, an improvement from 75% in 2024.

Another notable improvement was the increased number of women who reported that their partner or someone close was able to stay with them as much as they wanted after the birth. This figure rose to 72% in 2025 compared to 63% in 2024. There were also slight improvements in women being asked about their mental health and knowing who to contact if they faced difficulties.

Persistent Concerns

However, several concerns remain. Approximately 15% of women felt they were not given appropriate advice and support when they contacted a midwife or hospital at the start of their labor, a figure that has remained unchanged from 2024. Similarly, 18% of women said they were not taken seriously when raising concerns during labor and birth. These issues have persisted for several years.

Overall, 57% of women were always able to get help from a member of staff while in the hospital after giving birth, but one in 10 reported not getting help at all when they needed it. These figures have remained largely unchanged since 2021.

Among women who had their labor induced, 14% said they were not given information about all available options, including alternatives. Seven percent of all women reported being sent home once when they were worried about themselves or their baby, with 3% saying this happened more than once.

New Questions on Telephone Triage

For the first time, pregnant women were asked about whether they felt they received the advice they needed when contacting a telephone line provided by midwives. This service allows women to call if they have concerns during their pregnancy or after childbirth. Staff can offer advice, assessment, and prioritize patients accordingly.

Seventy-two percent of women in the survey said they definitely received all the advice they needed through telephone triage, while 21% felt they only sometimes received the necessary advice.

Dr. Toli Onon, chief inspector of hospitals, noted that while it is encouraging to see high satisfaction among many surveyed, it is clear that too many women feel their care could have been better. Issues such as difficulty accessing help and not feeling listened to when voicing concerns remain persistent. She emphasized that previous surveys have shown similar results, with satisfaction levels remaining stagnant over time.

Ongoing Challenges and Calls for Improvement

The data comes amid growing concerns about the state of maternity units in NHS hospitals. Recent reports have highlighted unacceptable care, with some women left to bleed out in bathrooms and babies suffering avoidable deaths. Baroness Valerie Amos, leading the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, has spoken to over 170 families across England, including those whose babies died due to failures in care. Her full findings will be published next year.

Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, acknowledged that despite signs of improvement, many women still do not receive the care they need. He emphasized the importance of ensuring every woman and family is heard and receives safe, compassionate care. Dedicated teams have been established across the country to improve services, and daily performance monitoring of every maternity service is being introduced to ensure quick intervention if issues arise.

He encouraged women and families to talk to their midwives and maternity teams if they have any concerns, assuring them that staff are working hard to provide the best possible care.