Working together to avoid brain injury in childbirth

Preventable harm during labour can be catastrophic for women, children, and their families, as well as for the staff involved. Reducing avoidable brain injury in childbirth means building on everyone’s experiences and expertise, working together to improve care in labour for all women and their babies.

One particular set of challenges centre on monitoring and responding to a baby’s wellbeing during labour. This includes checking the baby’s heart rate, acting on changes in the woman’s vital signs (such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature), and raising concerns with the right person at the right time.

Over the next few weeks, maternity staff, women and birth partners from across the country will be invited to contribute to an ambitious new programme on monitoring and responding to a baby’s wellbeing during labour.