Continued investment in midwifery is vital, says RCM

However, the report published yesterday, also praises the current standard of maternity services in the island.

Guernsey’s midwives help women to give birth to around 500 babies each year.

While the number of women using the services has remained relatively stable over recent years, demographics have not.

Between 2017 and 2023, the proportion of women giving birth between the ages of 25 and 29 fell from 27% to 22%, while the number of women between 35 and 39 rose from 18% to 26%.

Over the same period, the number of mothers classed as obese was up from one in five to almost one in three.

‘More women are choosing to start a family later,’ said Julie Richards, RCM director for Wales and the Channel Islands.

‘This, alongside raised BMI 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.’

She added that if the demographic changes continued, 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.’

She went on to say that in other aspects Guernsey had maternity services that most of the UK would look on with envy.

‘Guernsey has lower smoking rates, much more sustained breastfeeding rates, and really good vaccination rates,’ she said.

‘It actually shows that by having a well-invested workforce, what a difference you can make, not just to the maternity experience, but to public health measures that are going to influence mothers' and babies' long-term health as well.’