AROUND 100 people took part in a march across Aberystwyth prom over the weekend to “raise awareness of the challenges facing the midwifery profession”.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) revealed 57 percent of midwives surveyed said they were considering leaving their job in the next year, as RCM warns they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing and fears they can’t deliver safe care to women in the current system.

One midwife, who did not want to be named, explained why mid wives across mid Wales chose to take part in the nationwide call to action, as part of the March With Midwives campaign, on 21 November.

“A recent study showed that for every 30 midwives who train, 29 leave the profession,” she said.

“I know so many friends and colleagues who have left midwifery because of mental health issues or not feeling able to sustain the working pace amongst other reasons.

“Women and birthing people’s choices are affected by a lack of funding and a lack of staff. Midwives often skip meal breaks, toilet breaks, and work way over their hours to provide a safe service, which is not sustainable.

“There were 103 of us protesting, including midwives and other maternity staff, birth workers, our family members and women and families who have used our service.”

The March With Midwives UK manifesto states the maternity system is not “just under pressure or even on its knees”, but is “utterly broken and not fit for purpose”.

Amongst other demands, March With Midwives UK is calling for the governments to listen to all staff and service users and their advocates, fund emergency retention, enable anybody willing to work or train, and reduce the demands on staff.