More investment needed in Guernsey's maternity services

Friday, 8 November 2024 12:40

The Royal College of Midwives says healthcare for Guernsey mothers is becoming more complicated, as women are choosing to start a family later in life.

Around 500 babies are delivered by Guernsey's maternity services each year.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says that number has remained stable, but the profile of mothers has changed.

Guernsey mothers are twice to be over 30 and overweight when they give birth, compared to just a few years ago.

RCM Director for the Channel Islands Julie Richards says this makes healthcare more complex, and further investment in the sector will be needed.

“More women are choosing to start a family later, including in Guernsey, where the age profile of women in pregnancy has increased.

This, alongside raised Body Mass Index among increasing numbers of women, brings with it added complexity during pregnancy.

Making sure that the island’s maternity service has the right skills mix, and the right number of midwives, to adapt to these changes is imperative.

The RCM wants to see continued commitment from the Bailiwick to invest in maternity services in Guernsey to meet these needs.

If the demographic changes that we are already witnessing continue, the service may need to work harder in the future to meet these demands.

It is vital, therefore, that the Bailiwick invests in midwifery, ensuring that the island continues to have enough experienced midwives who are able to spend time with women to have the conversations that make the difference.”

The report also found only a small minority of Guernsey mothers’ smoke, 60% get the whooping cough and flu vaccine while pregnant and babies born here are very likely to receive breastmilk within the first 48 hours of life.