March 4, 2009

expert comments on BMJ article stating that non-white women have greater complications in pregnancy

Dr Siobhan Quenby, Reader at the University of Liverpool’s School of Reproductive Medicine and Honorary Consultant at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, said:

“Research like this is important for providing information to maternity services and illustrates that non-white women in the UK can have different experiences of pregnancy than white women. Many of these differences can be explained by medical issues, but social factors, such as poverty, are also important.

“At the Liverpool Women’s Hospital we have had funding for a special clinic designed to support vulnerable women who are not able to speak English well or communicate their problems to clinicians effectively. As a result, the rate of pregnancy complications in non-white women is no worse than white women in Liverpool. It is important that maternity services take account of medical and social issues such as poverty, language barriers, disease and genetic factors in providing the best care possible for these women.”