You can watch our Induction of Labour Series here.

For those requiring evidence towards CPD hours, a certificate of attendance can be issued by undertaking a short CPD activity. A small administration fee will apply.

Please contact: women.mathealth@gmail.com.

The recording schedule is:

Day 1 – Understanding Childbirth, Induction of Labour and Medications Used with Midwife Marley and Dr. Sheryl Perry Davidans.

Day 2 – More than Informed Decision-making and Maternal Mental Health with Dr. Cassandra Yuill and Dr. Orinayo Onabanjo.

Day 3 – Autonomy, Cultural Safety and Advocacy with Expert midwife Elsie Gayle and Anna Horn.

You can read the full report from the Induction of Labour survey here.  Alternatively, you can read the report by visiting the resources page.

Background

The Women’s Health and Maternal Well-being Initiative responded to the proposed National Institute for Health and Care Excellene (NICE) guidelines to introduce induction of labour at 39 weeks for Black, Asian and minority ethnic women. 

Study Background

In the week commencing the 5^th of July, we formulated  a  Black-led maternal health  challenge to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE)  recommendation to offer induction of labour at 39+0 weeks gestation for ethnic minority women experiencing uncomplicated pregnancies. We registered to become NICE stakeholders , meaning that we could give feedback on their proposed update to their induction of labour clinical guidance; our response can be found here. In sum, we believed that the evidence presented as underpinning  the recommendation was not robust   and, did not take into account that induction of labour has been recorded to be a  contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidities. Further, the recommendation  does not consider how wider implicit racial bias and institutionalised anti-Black racism/misogynoir contribute to Black women’s  poor outcomes.

The Survey

As a follow-up to our response, we are conducting a small survey to better understand Black and mixed-Black heritage women and birthing people’s attitudes towards  induction of labour and their experiences. This is because there is a severe lack of research around these topics, especially narrative-based research which amplifies the voices of Black and mixed- Black heritage women. The WHMWI believe that in order for the Black maternal health crisis to be addressed,  research data must include Black women’s narratives, and they must be central to strategies to improve their pregnancy journeys. This applies to both participant groups and research teams.

This study is comprised of this online questionnaire and focus groups. The questionnaire has 4  sections, and will take an average of 25 minutes to complete.

Eligibility: To participate, you must:

• Be of Black/ mixed-Black heritage

• Have been offered an induction of labour before

• Be over the age of 18

• Live in Britain

• Had a baby in the last 8 years

Privacy notice

Privacy protection: The data collected in this questionnaire shall be anonymous; only the research team will have access to your responses.

Risks and discomforts: This questionnaire carries some emotional risk since it will most likely touch on sensitive, and potentially triggering, issues which may arouse feelings of anger, disappointment, or sadness. Therefore, if you find that you are getting upset, you can choose to stop at any point while answering questions. Furthermore, please remember that you will be able take breaks whenever you want and that you are under no pressure to answer each and every question if you are not comfortable doing so.

Your rights: It is important to remember that your participation is voluntary, so you can withdraw at any time, without giving a reason, and without receiving any penalty.

Who to go to with questions: If you have any questions or concerns about the study please contact: whmwisurvey@gmail.com.

How will you use my information?

We will collect submissions and summarise the information in one database so that we can analyse themes that will inform our final analysis and recommendations. The data collated will not include any identifiable details in order to protect people’s sensitive information. You should know that a report will be published with our findings which may include examples of care shared with us. However names, locations and identifiable details will be kept anonymous.

Please read the following link before beginning the survey to see how we will keep your information safe.

Click here

Who to go to with questions: If you have any questions or concerns about the survey please contact: whmwisurvey@gmail.com