Improving care for women, birthing people and families in NHS Forth Valley
The Maternity Care Standards by Healthcare Improvement Scotland sets out expectations for safe, effective and person-centred maternity care. NHS Forth Valley is committed to delivering care in line with these standards, ensuring women, birthing people and their baby receive compassionate, consistent and high-quality care and support that reflects their individual needs and circumstances.
Your maternity care should be built around you, your baby and your family. You should feel listened to, respected and involved in decisions about your care at every stage of your maternity journey.
FAQ’s
Will I be involved in decisions about my care?
Yes. You should receive clear information, be listened to, and be supported to make informed choices about your care and your baby’s care.
What if I need communication support?
Maternity services should respond to your needs and provide access to interpretation, translation, advocacy and other communication support where required.
Will I see the same midwife?
The standards state that women should have continuity from a primary midwife wherever possible, helping to build trusted relationships throughout pregnancy
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Healthcare professionals make all the decisions | You have the right to be involved in decisions about your maternity care. Your views, questions and preferences matter |
| I should just accept what’s offered. | You should receive information about your options and be supported to make choices that are right for you and your baby |
| My individual needs aren’t important. | Maternity care should be person centred, responsive and tailored to your individual circumstances |
Every woman, baby and family should receive fair access to maternity services, regardless of their background, circumstances or additional needs. Support should be tailored to help everyone achieve the best possible outcomes.
FAQ’s
What if I need additional support ?
Services should respond to your individual needs and circumstances and help you access the care and support you need.
What if English isn’t my first Language?
Interpretation and communication support should be available to help you understand your care and make informed decisions
Will my individual circumstances be considered
Yes. Care should be responsive to your personal needs, health and family circumstances.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Everyone should receive exactly same care. | Some families need additional support to achieve equal outcomes. |
| Extra support means receiving special treatment. | Additional support helps ensure fair access and equitable care for everyone. |
| Its my responsibility alone to overcome barrier to care | Maternity services should work with you to reduce barriers and improve access. |
Maternity services should provide safe, effective care based on the best available evidence. Staff should work together to identify risks, prevent harm and support positive outcomes for women and babies.
FAQ’s
How is my feedback used?
Feedback helps improve maternity services and experiences for future families
What can I give feedback on ?
You can share feedback about any part of your care and experience good or not so good
How can I provide feedback ?
You can share feedback in person, online through surveys or patient feedback groups.
Will I be told what changes have been made?
Where possible services will let you know how feedback has helped bring about positive change
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Complaints don’t make a difference | Services should learn from experiences and continually improve |
| Feedback is only used if it’s a complaint | All feedback, good or not so good helps shape and improve services |
You should experience joined-up care from professionals who understand your needs and circumstances. Good communication between teams helps ensure a consistent and supportive maternity journey.
FAQ’s
Why do facilities matter?
Safe environments help support safer maternity care and positive experiences for women, babies and families
How are services planned?
Maternity services should be planned based on local needs, population changes and feedback from families
Will I have access to the care I need locally?
Services should be available in the right place, at the right time for you and your family.
Can I give feedback about facilities and services?
Yes. Your feedback helps improve services and environments for everyone
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Buildings don’t affect care. | Good facilities improve safety, experience and access to care. |
| All maternity services are the same everywhere. | Services should be designed to meet the local needs of communities. |
| Building new facilities is the only solution. | It’s about the right facilities, in the right place, with the right support. |
Whenever appropriate, maternity care should be provided as close to home as possible. Services should be accessible, convenient and designed around the needs of local families.
FAQ’s
Who is involved in my maternity care?
Your care may involve midwives, doctors, nurses, health visitors and other professionals working together.
Will I need to repeat my story?
No. Teams share information so you don’t have to repeat yourself.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Each professional works separately. | Maternity care should be delivered through effective multidisciplinary teamwork. |
| All maternity services are the same everywhere. | Services should be designed to meet the local needs of communities. |
| Building new facilities is the only solution. | It’s about the right facilities, in the right place, with the right support. |
You should receive clear, accurate information about your care options so you can make decisions that are right for you and your family. Your choices should be respected and supported.
FAQ’s
When should I contact maternity services?
Contact services as soon as you know you are pregnant to arrange booking and support.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Antenatal appointments are only for checks. | Appointments are also opportunities to ask questions and discuss concerns. |
Maternity services should help women, babies and families have the best possible experience of pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood through compassionate support and preparation.
FAQ’s
Can I discuss my birth preferences?
Yes. Your birth preferences should be discussed and considered wherever clinically appropriate.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Once labour starts, choices don’t matter. | You should remain involved in decisions throughout labour and birth. |
Different health, social care and community services should work together to provide coordinated support. This helps ensure families receive the right care, at the right time, from the right people.
FAQ’s
Who supports me after I go home?
Your maternity and community teams continue to provide support following birth.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Support ends after delivery. | Postnatal care remains an important part of your maternity journey. |
Maternity services should continually learn from feedback, experience and evidence to improve the quality of care provided to women, babies and families.
FAQ’s
What happens if complications occur?
Teams should provide timely access to appropriate emergency and specialist care.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Emergency care means losing all involvement in decisions. | Staff should continue communicating and involving you whenever possible. |
NHS boards ensure women and their babies can access mental health and wellbeing support that is timely, equitable, consistent and trauma informed.
FAQ’s
What support is available after pregnancy or baby loss?
Your maternity team can offer emotional support, practical guidance and referrals.
Will my wishes and choices be respected?
Yes. Care should be person-centred and tailored to your needs.
Can I access support after leaving hospital?
Yes. Ongoing support and referral pathways should be available following discharge.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy loss is something I should cope with on my own. | Support is available from maternity staff, bereavement specialists and support organisations. |
| There is no help available after I leave hospital. | Follow-up care, information and support services should be available after discharge. |
| My feelings are not important because my loss happened early in pregnancy. | Every loss matters and support should be compassionate and sensitive regardless of when the loss occurs. |
Women who experience pregnancy or baby loss have compassionate, person-centred, trauma-informed care and support.
FAQ’s
What should I do if I am struggling with my mental health during pregnancy?
Speak to your midwife, GP or a member of your maternity team.
Can I receive specialist mental health support?
Yes. If required, you may be referred to specialist perinatal mental health services.
Is support available after my baby is born?
Yes. Mental health and wellbeing support continues into the postnatal period.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Mental health concerns during pregnancy are uncommon. | Mental health difficulties can affect anyone during pregnancy or after birth. |
| Asking for help means I am not coping. | Seeking support is a sign of strength and helps ensure you receive the care you need |
| I will be judged if I talk about how I am feeling. | Maternity services aim to provide compassionate, person-centred and trauma-informed care without judgement. |
Feedback
We are seeking feedback from women, birthing people, partners and families to help us understand what is important to service users in relation to the Scottish Maternity Care Standards. Your feedback will help us improve services and ensure care remains safe, person-centred and responsive to the needs of families.