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Maternity unit: Your questions answered Maternity unit: Your questions answered
(about 1 hour later)
September is the busiest month for England's maternity wards, according to hospital figures.September is the busiest month for England's maternity wards, according to hospital figures.
BBC News is reporting live from the maternity unit at Ipswich Hospital where staff expect between eight to 11 births by the end of the day.BBC News is reporting live from the maternity unit at Ipswich Hospital where staff expect between eight to 11 births by the end of the day.
You have been sending in your questions about life on the ward, from how to become a midwife and shift lengths to traumatic births.You have been sending in your questions about life on the ward, from how to become a midwife and shift lengths to traumatic births.
Here are some of the answers staff at the hospital have given.Here are some of the answers staff at the hospital have given.
How do you become a midwife?How do you become a midwife?
Helen Smith, a consultant midwife at Ipswich Hospital, said after gaining three A-Levels or the equivalent you need to apply for a midwifery course at university. Helen Smith, a consultant midwife at Ipswich Hospital, said after gaining three A-levels or the equivalent you need to apply for a midwifery course at university.
"It's a three-year course where you will do academic and practical work to learn about all the different aspects of this fabulous job," she said."It's a three-year course where you will do academic and practical work to learn about all the different aspects of this fabulous job," she said.
The UCAS and Royal College of Midwives websites have useful information.The UCAS and Royal College of Midwives websites have useful information.
How long is a shift on the ward?How long is a shift on the ward?
"Our shifts are mostly 12 hours in the birthing areas," said Mrs Smith."Our shifts are mostly 12 hours in the birthing areas," said Mrs Smith.
"Some of our staff that work in clinic will work a more regular day."Some of our staff that work in clinic will work a more regular day.
"We work days, nights, weekends, Christmas. It's a 24/7 service.""We work days, nights, weekends, Christmas. It's a 24/7 service."
What support is there in place for women who have suffered traumatic deliveries or birth injuries?What support is there in place for women who have suffered traumatic deliveries or birth injuries?
The hospital offers a birth reflections debriefing service where women can find out more about their labour, Mrs Smith said.The hospital offers a birth reflections debriefing service where women can find out more about their labour, Mrs Smith said.
"We also have our birth choices clinic to help make a plan for the next birth."We also have our birth choices clinic to help make a plan for the next birth.
"It's about listening and empowering women to make sure they've got good evidence to base their future decisions on.""It's about listening and empowering women to make sure they've got good evidence to base their future decisions on."
How do staff feel maternity care could be improved post-birth?How do staff feel maternity care could be improved post-birth?
Introducing overnight stays for partners has improved feedback at the hospital, said Sharon Edwards, lead midwife on the Orwell post-natal ward.Introducing overnight stays for partners has improved feedback at the hospital, said Sharon Edwards, lead midwife on the Orwell post-natal ward.
"The staff patient ratio is something we're constantly looking at to ensure that women get the best care," she said. "Obviously the lower that is the better." "The staff-patient ratio is something we're constantly looking at to ensure that women get the best care," she said.
She encouraged patients to talk to staff about their experiences good or bad. "Obviously the lower that is, the better."
"I'm available five days a week to listen to anyone's feedback and to add extra support to patients," she said. "If we don't know what the concerns are we can't do anything about it so please tell us." She encouraged patients to talk to staff about their experiences - good or bad.
"I'm available five days a week to listen to anyone's feedback and to add extra support to patients," she said.
"If we don't know what the concerns are we can't do anything about it, so please tell us."
What is the best advice you can give to grieving parents who find out their baby has stopped developing during pregnancy?
"We try to make sure parents have as much support and help as possible," says Ali Brett, a midwife employed at the hospital to help parents suffering a bereavement.
She says she works closely with various charities and counselling services, including Petals and the East Anglia's Children's Hospice,
"I visit women and listen to them. I discuss regularly with the consultants so we can answer any questions," she says.
"We invite the families back after eight weeks so we can discuss events, any test results, post-mortem results and then make a plan for the next pregnancy and make sure they are physically and emotionally cared for.
"There are various websites where people can find support, including Sands, The Miscarriage Association and many others."
What questions do you have about the maternity ward? Use the form below to send them in and we could be in touch.What questions do you have about the maternity ward? Use the form below to send them in and we could be in touch.