By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent
NHS chiefs have ordered the first official survey of older and fatter mums giving birth following new evidence that maternity units are under increasing pressure from complex pregnancies.
Figures obtained by Sky News show there has been a boom in pregnant women who are obese or over the age of 40.
Some units reported that the number of obese mums had more than doubled in just two years.
The Royal College of Midwives said the statistics are "astonishing" and warned hospitals must increase the number of staff to cope with the higher risk of serious health problems in the mothers and their babies.
And NHS England revealed that it will for the first time monitor the data to ensure women are receiving appropriate care.
Dr Catherine Calderwood, NHS Clinical Director for Maternity, said: "Knowing this data is one of the most important things to improve the outcomes for these women and their babies. So we are investing in that with a new audit for the first time."
Sky News sent a Freedom of Information request to all maternity units in England.
Dr Catherine Calderwood, NHS Clinical Director for Maternity Of the 104 that replied 67 were able to supply data on obesity between 2010/11 and 2012/13.
On average there was a 12.5% rise in women with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.
But Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust reported a rise of 192% and Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said obesity had risen 177%.
Our survey also shows an upward trend in the number of older mums, with an average 7.5% rise in the number of women aged over 40 over the two years.
Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Trust has been at the forefront of one of the biggest baby-booms in the country.
Our statistics show that the number of obese mums rose by 59% in two years. Women aged over 40 rose by 33%.
Nicky Griffin, maternity ward manager at the hospital, said obese women need additional care.
"It is a consideration you need to make for their safety when they are in labour," she said.
"There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis, clotting in the leg. We have to give medication to prevent that because bigger ladies can be less mobile."
Obese women are also more at risk of diabetes, dangerously high blood pressure and having a premature delivery.
Older mums face similar risks.
But the research by Sky News reveals that a third of hospitals are failing to collect data on obesity and age.
Louise Silverton of the Royal College of Midwives said the data vacuum could compromise care.
"If you don't know who you are caring for, how do you know you are providing the right care," she said.
"Our concerns are that many units have not done the full assessment for many years and even where they have the trusts are not employing the number of midwives they need for their population."
:: All this week Sky News will have live coverage examining the crisis in the NHS. Watch 'A Matter Of Life And Death' on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.
We also want to hear your experiences of the NHS - the good and the bad - tweet us using the hashtag #NHSlifeanddeath
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Obese Pregnant Women 'Putting Strain On NHS'
Dengan url
http://cucikakiku.blogspot.com/2014/01/obese-pregnant-women-putting-strain-on.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Obese Pregnant Women 'Putting Strain On NHS'
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Obese Pregnant Women 'Putting Strain On NHS'
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar