Glossary
Maternity standards
Warning
Term
Definition
an event that could have caused, or did result in, harm to people. This includes death, disability, injury, disease, suffering or an immediate or delayed emotional reaction or psychological harm.
is when a healthcare professional uses specially designed instruments, such as forceps or a ventouse (vacuum cup), to help the baby be born through the birth canal.
Care outside of guidance
refers to situations where women choose care or support, including choices about birth, that do not follow local or national guidelines or standards. This may be to increase a woman’s sense of autonomy and control, or because the choice aligns with her personal beliefs, values or preferences. Such care may also be described as alternative or non-standard birth choices.
refers to any person the woman chooses to be involved in her care. This may include the biological father or parent of the baby, a partner, family member or friend. The care partner may change over the course of the pregnancy and may be the same person as the birth partner.
Where appropriate, wider family members, including children, may also be involved, for example following pregnancy or baby loss.
Where appropriate, wider family members, including children, may also be involved, for example following pregnancy or baby loss.
Carer
in these standards, carer refers to the primary midwife working within a continuity of care model. Carers provide a significant proportion of a woman’s antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care.
including obstetric anal sphincter injuries, postpartum haemorrhage, severe perineal tears and complications from regional analgesia, and regional or general anaesthesia.
is someone the woman chooses to have with them during their maternity care, and most often during labour and birth. This may be her care partner, a family member, a friend, a birth partner, or a doula (a non-medically trained birth companion).
refers to circumstances when a woman requires enhanced, personalised and often multidisciplinary maternity care due to medical complexity (see below), complications in pregnancy or social, communication or safeguarding factors that may affect her health, safety or wellbeing, or that of her baby. These needs may arise at any stage during pregnancy, birth or the postnatal period and require ongoing assessment and tailored support.
Early pregnancy assessment services
are services that provide assessment, advice and support during the early stages of pregnancy (usually before 12 weeks). They can offer help with symptoms such as bleeding or abdominal pain, or when a woman is concerned about miscarriage. These services are also known as early pregnancy units or early pregnancy assessment units.
is any harmful behaviour directed at someone because of their gender. It stems from gender inequality and abuse of power, and includes forms of domestic abuse, sexual violence, coercive control, stalking, commercial sexual exploitation, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, though anyone may experience gender-based violence
refers to products that can cause harm to the woman or her developing baby. These include, but are not limited to, tobacco, alcohol, certain medications and foods, substances and drugs.
High quality
refers to healthcare that is person centred, safe and effective. This includes care focussing on people’s experiences, ensuring safety and preventing harm, and providing treatments and services that are appropriate, effective, compassionate,
trauma informed, evidence based and supports continuity and consistency in care.
trauma informed, evidence based and supports continuity and consistency in care.
are actions that increase the amount of money people receive and reduce unnecessary expenditure. It ensures that individuals receive all financial support they are entitled to, including state benefits, government grants and other eligible
assistance.
assistance.
is the capacity for babies to experience, regulate and express emotions, form close and secure relationships, and explore and learn about their environment.
refers to the transfer of a pregnant woman to another setting before the baby is born, because the baby is likely to require care in a specialist neonatal unit.
is the clear and transparent communication channel that ensure senior leaders and NHS board members understand the day-to-day realities, challenges and achievements within maternity services. It also enables staff working on the maternity floor to raise concerns, share issues and offer suggestions directly to senior managers and board-level leaders.
stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Aromantic. It is used as an inclusive umbrella term to represent a broad spectrum of sexual orientations, gender identities, and lived experiences. The “+” symbol acknowledges that many additional identities— such as pansexual and gender-fluid—are also part of the community, ensuring the term remains open and inclusive of all people whose identities fall outside those explicitly named.
refers to situations where a woman has significant medical problems complex health conditions that increase the risks associated with pregnancy, birth or the postnatal period.
Medical complexity includes, but is not limited to, women who:
• have pre-existing, long-term health conditions
• have significant or very high-risk cardiac conditions
• are experiencing a multiple pregnancy
• have a previous history of stillbirth or miscarriage
• have a raised body mass index
• are aged 35 years or over
• are assessed as being at increased risk of preterm labour.
Medical complexity includes, but is not limited to, women who:
• have pre-existing, long-term health conditions
• have significant or very high-risk cardiac conditions
• are experiencing a multiple pregnancy
• have a previous history of stillbirth or miscarriage
• have a raised body mass index
• are aged 35 years or over
• are assessed as being at increased risk of preterm labour.
are events that could have caused harm but did not, because of circumstances or intervention.
Non-commercial information
is information that is developed by statutory, third sector or not for profit agencies. It is informed by evidence and best practice. There are no commercial or financial gains from producing, sharing or accepting the information.
Peripherals
refers to equipment and devices used to monitor maternal and fetal wellbeing. These may include a handheld doppler, ultrasound scanning equipment, blood pressure cuffs and wearable sensors.
Primary midwife
is the midwife who has lead responsibility for midwifery care throughout a woman’s pregnancy and labour. A primary midwife coordinates care planning for women and is sometimes referred to as ‘carer.’ A primary midwife may also be referred to as the ‘named midwife.’
In Scotland, the practice of midwifery is governed by several pieces of legislation, primarily the Midwives (Scotland) Act 1915, the Midwives (Scotland) Act 1951, and the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001. These Acts outline the requirements for certification, regulation and supervision of midwives.
This legislation establishes midwifery as a protected function and title, meaning only registered midwives or medical practitioners may attend childbirth, except in emergencies or under supervision during training.
In Scotland, the practice of midwifery is governed by several pieces of legislation, primarily the Midwives (Scotland) Act 1915, the Midwives (Scotland) Act 1951, and the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001. These Acts outline the requirements for certification, regulation and supervision of midwives.
This legislation establishes midwifery as a protected function and title, meaning only registered midwives or medical practitioners may attend childbirth, except in emergencies or under supervision during training.
Staff
in these standards, refers to all staff involved in the delivery of maternity care. This includes, but is not limited to, anaesthetists, dietitians, GPs, gynaecologists, health visitors, maternity care assistants, maternity support workers, midwives, neonatal nurses, neonatologist, nurses, obstetricians, paediatricians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, sonographers, educators and clinical researchers.
Where appropriate the multidisciplinary team should also be supported by other multidisciplinary professionals including social workers and psychologists and staff from drug and alcohol teams or Maternal, Neonatal and Psychological interventions teams.
In Scotland, registered healthcare professionals are regulated by various bodies, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Medical Council (GMC), the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
The NMC regulates nurses and midwives, while the GMC regulates doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates. The HCPC regulates a wide range of Allied Health Professions, including physiotherapists and dietitians. The GPhC regulates pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Independent healthcare services in Scotland must also be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Where appropriate the multidisciplinary team should also be supported by other multidisciplinary professionals including social workers and psychologists and staff from drug and alcohol teams or Maternal, Neonatal and Psychological interventions teams.
In Scotland, registered healthcare professionals are regulated by various bodies, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Medical Council (GMC), the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
The NMC regulates nurses and midwives, while the GMC regulates doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates. The HCPC regulates a wide range of Allied Health Professions, including physiotherapists and dietitians. The GPhC regulates pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Independent healthcare services in Scotland must also be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Timely
is care that is provided without unnecessary delay, ensuring that women and their babies receive the right care at the right time. In NHS Scotland, timeliness is supported through a range of national waiting-time standards and guarantees designed to minimise avoidable delay, reduce stress and prevent deterioration in health. While not defined by a single measure, timely care is achieved through adherence to these standards across the maternity care pathway.
is a way of working and delivering services that recognises a person may have experienced trauma and understands the effects that trauma may have on them. In healthcare, this involves adapting processes and practices based on that understanding and aiming to avoid, or minimise the risk of, re-exposure to past trauma or the experience of further trauma.
A trauma-informed service demonstrates how it is shaped by anonymous feedback from people with living and lived experience of trauma. A trauma-informed system also supports workforce resilience and is underpinned by trauma-informed
leadership and organisational systems.35
Further information is available from National Trauma Transformation Programme.
A trauma-informed service demonstrates how it is shaped by anonymous feedback from people with living and lived experience of trauma. A trauma-informed system also supports workforce resilience and is underpinned by trauma-informed
leadership and organisational systems.35
Further information is available from National Trauma Transformation Programme.
is a leadership model in maternity services involving three core leaders: a Clinical Director (usually an obstetric consultant), a Head or Director of Midwifery, and a General or Operations Manager. This structure provides balanced leadership by
combining clinical expertise, professional midwifery insight, and managerial or operational skills. Other similar leadership models may also be appropriate for maternity services.
combining clinical expertise, professional midwifery insight, and managerial or operational skills. Other similar leadership models may also be appropriate for maternity services.
are people who experience barriers accessing services and have less positive outcomes in maternity services. Being underserved is most often the result of discrimination, poverty or finding services geographically difficult to get to. It can also include not getting the right information or support to be able to make informed choices when receiving care.
In maternity services, underserved groups include, but are not
limited to:
• people from minority ethnic groups, including Gypsy Travellers
• people who have been in care
• people under the age of 18
• people with complex social needs around housing, poverty and alcohol or substance use
• disabled people, including people with a mental health condition, learning disability or who are neurodivergent
• people with an LGBTQIA+ identity
• asylum seekers, refugees and people from migrant backgrounds
• people with experience of trauma, gender-based violence or female genital mutilation
• people living in remote and rural areas
• people in prison
In maternity services, underserved groups include, but are not
limited to:
• people from minority ethnic groups, including Gypsy Travellers
• people who have been in care
• people under the age of 18
• people with complex social needs around housing, poverty and alcohol or substance use
• disabled people, including people with a mental health condition, learning disability or who are neurodivergent
• people with an LGBTQIA+ identity
• asylum seekers, refugees and people from migrant backgrounds
• people with experience of trauma, gender-based violence or female genital mutilation
• people living in remote and rural areas
• people in prison
is the emotional, psychological and physical distress that occurs when an individual is indirectly exposed to the traumatic experiences of others.
includes women, girls, trans men and non-binary and intersex people who are pregnant or have recently been pregnant.