Blog: Communication in maternity care

As midwives, how we communicate with the women and families we care for is crucial to ensuring that they, and their babies, get the best possible care.

Section 7 of the Code says you must communicate clearly – but good communication runs through so much of the rest of our Code and standards too.

Communication includes what we ask and tell people – not only with our words but through our tone and body language – but just as importantly, how we listen to them and respond to their wishes, questions and concerns.

Whether it’s treating people with dignity, creating a psychologically safe environment, working effectively with colleagues or ensuring valid consent, so much of midwifery and nursing professionals’ work comes down to good communication.

But we know that sometimes communication within maternity teams isn’t as good as it could be.

Multiple reviews have reported women not feeling listened to about their care. Our own recent Spotlight report, showing the numbers of professionals experiencing bullying, harassment and discrimination, has shone further light on the negative cultures that too many professionals on our register still experience in their day-to-day work.

Maternity teams can only work together effectively when they communicate well with each other, and with the women and families they care for.

That’s why good communication is such a key part of our Good Teamwork Means Better Maternity Care resources.

I’d encourage any midwives, or nurses working in maternity settings, to read the fantastic perspectives we heard from professionals in the communication section:

• Consent. Informed consent is a crucial part of effective care – but sometimes, such as when someone’s first language isn’t English, it can be harder to achieve. Zainab Sarwar, a midwife who’s worked in both hospitals and community settings, explains the importance of this along with Iqra and Abdur, a couple who she’s provided care for.
• Dignity and respect. The very first section of The Code talks about prioritising people, and treating them with dignity and respect. But we know there are times when professionals and the people receiving care aren’t treated as they should be. Dr Joe Farmer of Civility Saves Lives and Seren Barry, who recently qualified as a midwife, explain the importance of kindness and the negative impact of incivility.
• Psychological safety. Everyone needs to feel safe to speak up – whether that’s professionals who feel something isn’t right, or women and families who are concerned about their health or care. Zainab and Joe explain the importance of psychologically safe environments along with midwives Kemi Akinmeji and Sabrina Mubiru.

Listening to and working in partnership with the women in your care is key to the person-centred midwifery care that every person has the right to expect.

As well as Good Teamwork Means Better Maternity Care, our resource The Best Midwifery Care Happens in Partnership also shines a light on the importance of good communication. It features women who’d recently given birth explaining how strong partnerships with their midwives made a huge difference to their care.

Again, I’d encourage you to read and learn from their experiences to help make great communication a key part of the care you provide.

Communication is one of four sections in Good Teamwork Means Better Maternity Care. On 6 January, Tracey wrote a blog about the health inequalities section. We’ll cover the other two sections – teamworking and escalation – later this year.

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