Midwives support Tell it Right, Start it Right
‘Tell It Right, Start it Right' campaign update
DSA talk to midwives at Royal College of Midwives conference
The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) had a stand at the Royal College of Midwives annual conference in Manchester on 26-27 November 2009, where we exhibited a small selection of Shifting Perspectives photographs. During the two days we talked to nearly 300 midwives about Down's syndrome, all of whom agreed with the importance of providing accurate and up-to-date information about Down's syndrome to new parents prior to antenatal screening and when a diagnosis is made. Many of them agreed to sign up to the ‘Tell It Right' e-petition on the government website.
These discussions with midwives also helped us to better understand what information they provide to mothers during pregnancy, and their views about Down's syndrome and screening. We will continue to find out more about their views through a survey of midwives during December.
Student Midwives urged to back ‘Tell It Right, Start it Right' campaign
Many of the visitors to the DSA stand at the Royal College of Midwives conference were student midwives, and they were keen to learn more about Down's syndrome so they could be confident in discussing the condition with new parents. Many of them also signed up to the ‘Tell It Right' e-petition. In addition, StudentMidwife.NET, the worlds biggest online support network for students midwives is backing the campaign and urging their members and visitors to show their support.
Rob Collyer, Director of StudentMidwife.NET commented,
"It is unbelievable that in today's society parents do not have more readily accessible information about disorders such as Down's Syndrome. It has to be a primary focus looking forward to ensure parents are armed with all they need to know. We are urging all of our members to sign the DSA's ‘Tell It Right' e-petition."