Vital visits are not to be dismissed (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Vital visits are not to be dismissed

8:37am Wednesday 1st June 2011 in Our View

Around 20 per cent of mums-to-be in Bradford are not going to a midwife in the first three months of their pregnancy, a new report has shown.

Health chiefs are rightly concerned and want to increase that figure to nearer the ten per cent national target.

It is another example of a service that is available that too many are not taking advantage of.

Being referred to a midwife earlier can only be good for the health of both mother and baby.

It allows the mums-to-be earlier access to vital health information and screening that can make a huge difference to the well-being of the parent and the new-born.

It should help to reduce infant mortality, giving mums access to the best possible healthcare to give their babies the best start in life.

And it will also help to free up appointments at GP surgeries, allowing doctors to see more patients.

So it is a win-win situation for the under-pressure health service and for the peace of mind of parents.

Which is why a new campaign supported by pharmacists across the Bradford region to encourage would-be-parents to get their full health and social care assessment from a midwife within the 12 weeks and six days gestation period is most welcome.

And the publication of a pocket guide book, which will be available through chemists, should help the soon-to-be mums get a clearer idea of the opportunities available to them.

It is, of course, a matter of choice as to when pregnant women make use of the services of a midwife.

But at least this campaign allows all the choices to be clearly presented to them, so they can make as informed a judgement as possible.