According to the CQC's latest annual national maternity survey, over three quarters (76%) of respondents were ‘definitely' asked about their mental health during antenatal check-ups compared with 75% who said this in 2023. A large majority (93%) of respondents also reported that a midwife asked them about their mental health during their postnatal care.

In addition, 89% said they received mental health support as part of their antenatal care compared with 88% in 2023, and 85% in 2022.

Most of those surveyed (83%) said their midwives ‘always' listened to them, that they were ‘always' spoken to in a way they could understand (88%), and they were ‘always' treated with respect and dignity (87%). A similarly large proportion of respondents (80%) said they were ‘always' involved in decisions about their antenatal care.

More people surveyed felt they were given appropriate information on the risks associated with an induced labour prior to being induced (74% in 2024 compared to 69% in 2023). Respondents reporting that their partner or someone else close to them was able to stay as much as they wanted in hospital after the birth also increased from 56% in 2023 to 63% in 2024.

Below expectations

There were parts of their care that were below expectations for many, however.

In 2024, 70% said they ‘definitely' had confidence and trust in staff compared with 71% in 2023. There was a similar decline in the number of people who said they ‘definitely' had trust and confidence in staff during labour and birth (77% in 2024 from 78% in 2023) and postnatally (69% in 2024 from 72% in 2023).

Over one in 10 (14%) said staff did not do everything they could to help manage pain during labour and birth. Furthermore, a quarter (25%) of respondents felt they did not have the opportunity to ask questions after their baby was born, and only 58% of people surveyed said they were ‘always' given the information and explanations needed (compared to 60% in 2023).

There has also been a five-year downward trend in the number of people reporting they were ‘always' able to get help from staff during labour and birth (64% in 2024) and in those who said they were ‘always' spoken to by staff in a way they could understand (85% in 2024).

Just over half (60%) of people surveyed said they saw or spoke to a midwife as much as they wanted after the birth (down from 63% in 2023). And fewer reported ‘always' feeling listened to by staff providing postnatal care after leaving hospital (75% in 2024 compared to 77% in 2023).

Women who reported their ethnicity as Indian', Pakistani and any other white background those with a long-term mental health condition reported poorer experiences.

Reaction

Nicola Wise, CQC's director of secondary and specialist care, said: ‘We know from our own inspections that there is a variation in quality of maternity services and that further work is needed to ensure high quality of care across the board for all women and their families. Increased national action and additional capital investment to support staff to deliver the high-quality care they want to provide for mothers and babies every time should be a priority. We hope trusts will reflect on their individual survey results and use them to help identify where they can make changes to ensure positive experiences within maternity care.'

Chief midwifery officer for England Kate Brintworth said: ‘Mental health support is vital during pregnancy and it's encouraging that mothers are saying their experiences in this area have improved, and that many are positive about the way they are treated, listened to, and communicated with by our hardworking NHS maternity teams.

‘But we know there is much more to do to ensure all women and babies receive high-quality personalised care, and we welcome the findings of this survey, which will help us to build on progress in maternity care, which includes recruiting more than 1,000 additional midwives and rolling out perinatal pelvic health services.'