Women from ethnic minority backgrounds have long been known to endure additional maternity risks, with maternal mortality rates significantly higher than for white women. Recent analysis shows Black pregnant women are eight times more likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19, while Asian women are four times as likely. To tackle this and protect expectant mums, the NHS is boosting its support for pregnant BAME women and taking urgent action at micro-level, such as increasing uptake of Vitamin D and undertaking outreach in neighbourhoods and communities, among others. New research from Oxford University also shows that 55% of the pregnant women admitted to hospital with Covid-19 belong to a BAME background. These numbers must be contrasted with the fact that they make up only a quarter of the births in England and Wales.
Expectant mothers in the UK are increasingly choosing home births due to Covid-19 scare, leading them to rely on midwives to assist them with childbirth. The midwives working with the NHS play a crucial role not only in introducing women to relevant health measures but also in giving continuous skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing in the short term. On June 26th, Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, England’s most senior midwife, has written to all maternity units in the country calling on them to take specific actions which will minimise the additional risk of Covid-19 for BAME women and their babies. Steps include making sure clinicians have a lower threshold to review, admitting and considering multidisciplinary escalation in women from a BAME background, reaching out and reassuring pregnant BAME women with tailored communications, and ensuring hospitals discuss vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy with all women. Dunkley-Bent further commented on the decrease in attendances for some NHS services due to the pandemic outbreak and said, “I want to make sure that every pregnant woman in England knows that the NHS is here for them – if you have any doubt whatsoever that something isn’t right with you or your baby, contact your midwife immediately”.
The Royal College of Midwives has also developed guidance and advice for pregnant women and their families during Covid-19. Zeenath Uddin, Head of Quality and Safety at the RCM told Asian Voice: “Maternity units are increasingly providing consultations on the phone or by video online, but this does not mean they are less important. If observations like blood pressure or other tests need to be carried out this will be done in person with your midwife. Midwives are also trained to ask women about their mental health, particularly during the pandemic we are aware that some women may feel more anxious or isolated”. She added: “The RCM has also called for swift implementation of an action plan announced by NHS England to provide additional support for black, Asian and Ethnic Minority (BAME) pregnant women as COVID-19 has sadly sharpened this inequality further”. The midwife community is dealing efficiently with a preference for homebirths. As Zeenath Uddin told us: “Covid-19 surge impacted on staffing levels and emergency services and we saw some homebirth services temporarily suspended, but many of these have now re-opened”.
