You have the right to refuse to see a health visitor
Jo Broughton describes how she gave birth without problems to her 10lb 8oz baby in Glasgow. She saw no reason to see a health visitor but was then reported to Social Services
Experiences of third stage
Jill compares the differences between a managed third stage and a normal one.
Waterbirth - changing attitudes
Avril Nicoll, Kirstin Hoggins and Phyllis Winters reflect on the process of change undergone by the midwives at Montrose community maternity unit where waterbirth is now more than a choice.
Report your own adverse effects
Jean Robinson reports on the extension of the yellow card scheme www.yellowcard.gov.uk for reporting adverse affects of drugs, to allow patients as well as doctors to report these problems.
Just a role play?
Alice Charlwood volunteered to play the mother in a workshop on whether women are allowed to exercise informed choice, and learned first hand how difficult it can be.
Assertiveness - fine in theory, difficult in practice
Earlier this year one of our Committee members, Shane Ridley, circulated some thoughts on being assertive and compiled a guide to help people think through the issues. It encouraged a flurry of debate, from which the following thoughts emerged:
Ten years after a stillbirth - how good care can make all the difference
Shane Ridley describes her experience of the stillbirth of Katie Eva and how during those times the kindness and compassion of midwives and doctors made such a difference. She and her husband had all the support from professionals that she could have wished for, even though it was at a time of great sadness.
Blood money for what? The continuing saga
In the AIMS Journal (Vol 16, No 4), Professor Naomi Pfeffer, a sociologist and historian who researches and writes about human tissue collection and stem cell research and therapy, explained why unregulated private blood banks threaten to exploit pregnant women. George Macridis, Managing Director of Future Health Technologies responds.
AIMS Journal, 2026, Vol 38, No 1 By The AIMS Campaigns Team Published written outputs: 8th November: AIMS Response to the NHS 10 Year Workforce Plan Consultation 11th Nov…
AIMS Journal, 2026, Vol 38, No 1 An Editorial foreword: As an antenatal educator I would often invite the expectant parents to imagine that their baby had safely arrived…
AIMS Journal, 2026, Vol 38, No 1 By Alex Smith Welcome to the March edition of the AIMS journal. This issue explores the question of antenatal education. Antenatal educat…
Stephanie Ernst, founder of the TAPS Support Foundation, will be explaining the issues that can arise in different types of twin pregnancies, and what twins parents need…
Midwifery Must Matter! Honouring our past to shape our future ARM’s 50th anniversary conference At a time when UK maternity services face ongoing pressures, including mid…
MIDIRS is proud to sponsor the first-ever RCM Top 10 Maternity Research Priorities Symposium. This virtual event will bring together midwives, researchers, and maternity…
A forthcoming parliamentary debate on the petition calling for the appointment of a Maternity Commissioner ‘to improve maternity care for mums and babies’ is scheduled fo…
Thank you for inviting organisations to offer evidence to the investigation. AIMS has welcomed this investigation, and we stand ready to support it, drawing on our partic…
London, Wednesday 4th March 2026 A key component of ensuring maternity service provision that is safe, personalised and equitable, is the provision of a robust and sustai…