Midwife Gillian shares key message to mark World Contraception Day
Midwife Gillian Matthews has been spreading the word about contraception options available to maternity service users.
On a tour of the Maternity Department at Hillingdon Hospital on 25 September - on the eve of World Contraception Day - she was making sure staff knew where to turn to and what is available when it comes to either their own reproductive health or that of patients and their family members.
Gillian, who is the north-west London specialist midwife for the post-birth contraception service, said part of the aim of the wellbeing 'walk through', during which she chatted to as many colleagues as possible, was “to ensure women and birthing people can easily access contraception after pregnancy and achieve optimal birth spacing (the gap between having babies.”
She said: “As a Trust, we want to raise awareness of the post-birth contraception service that is available within maternity services. The service has existed for five years and has trained 76 obstetric doctors and midwives to fit implants which go under the skin.
“It would be a wonderful legacy of this year's World Contraception Day if staff could be really familiar with the information about the contraception options available, either on the NHS website or at contraceptionchoices.org , or in an antenatal clinic from their midwife or obstetric doctor, and also to signpost maternity service users to it.”
Gillian explained that for the past five years, the service has been funded through charity grants and ICB fixed-term grants. This year, the North-West London ICB agreed to fund it on a recurrent basis.
She said: “It is recommended to have at least 12 months from the birth of a baby to conceiving again to avoid poorer pregnancy outcomes associated with short birth intervals. The service can provide several contraceptive methods which are all safe to use when breastfeeding, such as progestogen-only pills, subdermal implants, intrauterine devices and injectable contraception administered before discharge form maternity services.
This service empowers women and birthing people to take control of their reproductive journey and access contraception at a time convenient to them, which can help them space out their pregnancies and plan their families
“This service empowers women and birthing people to take control of their reproductive journey and access contraception at a time convenient to them, which can help them space out their pregnancies and plan their families. We also offer advice on how to access contraception in the community, once discharged from maternity care.
“Pregnant people should be made aware the service is available, counselled about their options during the antenatal period, and their decision for post-birth contraception documented in their birth plan.
“After the birth of their baby, LARC (long-acting reversible contraception) can be fitted at elective caesarean section, or shortly after vaginal birth in the birth centre and postnatal ward areas. Progestogen only pills (mini-pill) can be provided from the postnatal ward for service users to take home.”