Rishi Sunak is expected to focus on providing a boost to several areas of women’s health this year following an announcement by the Health Secretary this morning.
Speaking to GB News on the latest announcement, Theo Clarke, Conservative MP for Stafford, is campaigning to raise awareness of birth trauma and get more support for mothers.
Birth trauma has been chosen as one of the Government’s focus areas in this year’s Women’s Health Strategy, announced this morning by Health Secretary Victoria Atkins.
Other focuses in 2024 include period problems, menopause and support for domestic abuse victims.
Theo Clarke speaking in Commons
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The Women’s Health Strategy, which started a year ago, has cut the prices of HRT and seen women’s health hubs rolled out across the country.
Talking exclusively to GB News today, Clarke said: “There will be a separate check-up with your GP within eight weeks of giving birth, specifically for the mother to talk about your physical and mental health.
“And before it was only ever focused on the babies.
“That is a huge difference which I'm hoping is going to make a big change to women right across this country.”
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Pregnant woman
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Birth trauma is a subject close to Clarke’s heart as she underwent a 40-hour labour when her daughter was born. Speaking on her experience, she said: “I ended up having very heavy bleeding when she arrived and got rushed into emergency surgery and separated from my daughter.
“I later discovered, having been awake for two hours in surgery, that I'd had what's called a third-degree tear, which is a very significant birth injury.”
Around 3 per cent of mothers sustain 3rd or 4th-degree tears during delivery while new mothers can struggle emotionally.
Theo Clarke speaking in Commons
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Suicide is the leading direct cause of deaths up to 12 months after having a baby.
Clarke continued: “There seems to be a real taboo around talking about issues within childbirth.
“It's really striking to me how many friends and family of colleagues have contacted me since I shared my own story and said that they'd had issues either with physical symptoms post-birth or psychological support that they needed.
“So I'm really hoping this campaign first is going to break that taboo.”
Clarke has launched an inquiry into birth trauma, and is calling on mothers and health professionals to share their experiences by February 6th at https://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/birth-trauma.
Recommendations will be made to the Government.
Clarke acknowledges the part paid by the chronic shortage of midwives, saying: “We need to do more to both recruit them but also to retain them in our workforce.
“I'm pleased that the Government has invested money in that in the last few years. But of course there's so much more they should do.”
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