Birth Care: Variations In Maternity Care Across England 'Concerning,' Report Reveals

Variations in maternity care received by pregnant women giving birth in hospitals in England are concerning, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) said. The variation in practice between maternity units may suggest not all pregnant women are receiving the best possible maternity care they deserved.

In collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, RCOG reviewed more than 550,000 births in 2013-14. The analysis, however, excluded women who underwent non-standard deliveries such as twins and pre-term babies. After reviewing, the group found out there's a "substantial variation" in practice between maternity units in NHS. The review showed there were different rates of instrumental deliveries, caesarian sections and episiotomy.

'Concerning' variation in birth care - The variation in care women get when giving birth in hospital in England... https://t.co/cNGcSUYUZh

— RophiHealthcare (@RophiHealthcare) Marso 24, 2016

Figure revealed 8 percent of pregnant women in some maternity units needed emergency c-sections, whereas in other maternity units the figure showed 15 percent. As for the natural birth, figure showed one in five first-time moms needed help with instruments while giving birth in some maternity units. But in some maternity units, this figure escalated to almost three in 10. Rates in episiotomy varied between 29 percent and percent.

"We are concerned about the amount of variation identified in this report," RCOG president Dr. David Richmond said to BBC. "Although the exact causes are difficult to establish, it is paramount that maternity units have information about their services, as well as the ability to compare themselves to the national average and to their peers."

NHS video speaks to the importance of CARE in maternity care https://t.co/2pcpoPiODH — Nicole Bennett (@Nibennett) Hunyo 23, 2015

Dr. Richmond added the gathered information is very useful in terms of improvements. He said with this figure, maternity services can move towards identifying priority areas to reduce the variation. Moreover, the analysis would help the units improve in terms of maternity care.

Commenting on the report, Health Minister Ben Gummer said NHS is a safe place to give birth. Nevertheless, the report will help NHS to improve the maternity care. "Mothers and their babies deserve the very highest standards of care regardless of where they live," the minister added, according to Huffington Post.