Matrescence Advocate Maggie

@mgordonwalker founded Mothers Uncovered and the Matrescence Matters campaign, winning awards for advocacy. #Matrescence makes sense of motherhood.

[Michelle Welsh MP @MichelleWelshMP]

England’s first Maternity Commissioner to be enshrined in law 📢

I am incredibly proud to have played a leading role within Government in making this happen.

A Maternity Commissioner will not solve every problem in maternity care, but creating a powerful, independent voice - established in law - is a historic step forward.

The Commissioner will champion mothers, babies and families, represent frontline staff and bring together charities, campaigners and professional organisations to make maternity care safer.

For too long, families have had to fight to be heard, while frontline staff have not always been listened to or supported. This role must turn their experiences into action and ensure that uncomfortable truths can never again be ignored.

This is deeply personal to me. I have listened to families whose lives have been changed forever, and promised that their courage and campaigning must lead to lasting change.

A permanent voice. A statutory responsibility. A lasting legacy for every mother, every baby and every family.

A promise that maternity safety will remain at the heart of every Government.

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

Certainly something we have observed is on the rise. Many mothers we meet @MothersUncoverd are still struggling with birth many months later.
I have interviewed several mothers for the #secretlifeofmothers podcast @secretmotherpod who have carried trauma for a long time.

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

At @MothersUncoverd nearly all of our participants experience some level of #postnatalanxiety. It is exacerbated by the lack of support in society. It is all part of #matrescence and if #mothers’ health was given more attention then mothers would feel better. @BBCr4today

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

Today brings the #DonnaOckenden report into the maternity crisis in Nottingham
People throw their hands up, say it’s awful & must change, but WHEN will it? Mothers, families, campaigners, journalists have been highlighting the inadequate care for years.#ockendenreport

[Matrescence Advocate Maggie @MatrescenceMGW]

@Harrys_Garage @MichelleWelshMP @mjauk Odd comment. We should help all mothers. That’s what makes a stronger society.

[Michelle Welsh MP @MichelleWelshMP]

"From my trauma came determination and hope. Hope is action, hope is reform, hope is accountability."

This morning I attended @mjauk #MJASymposium to speak about my own birth trauma and the state of maternity care in the UK.

Whilst I have a voice, I won't stop speaking out until the system is reformed for the next generation of mothers.

[Rosie Duffield MP @RosieDuffield1]

This week I've taken 3 constituents who lost their children in horrific circumstances to visit Ministers. The 2 Ministers (veteran Lab colleagues both) were compassionate, kind, and genuinely listened. One sat with us for over an hour and cried despite trying not to.../1 🧵

[Michelle Welsh MP @MichelleWelshMP]

It's time for big and bold policies in maternity care.

My interview with @skysarahjane 👇

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

Fantastic news that @MichelleWelshMP has been appointed the new Maternity Advisor. Having met her to discuss @MothersUncoverd and watching her chairing the Maternity APPG, she is absolutely the right person - principled, dedicated and determined.

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

It’s #MaternalMentalHealthWeek and who better to speak to than the absolute powerhouse that is @eviecanavan co-founder of @PMHPUK
Her blog brought her to the attention of #Eastenders, where she shaped and advised the character Stacey Slater’s storyline.
https://t.co/agpDafStBf

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

Well, someone obviously told @itsanitarani the correct pronunciation of #matrescence while they were trailing the podcast @BBCWomansHour.
It’s a word we’ve been advocating for @MothersUncoverd for over 8 years. You can look us up here too @MatrescenceUK & https://t.co/CJUSUpmFt1

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

It was a privilege to speak at the #MaternityAPPG chaired by @MichelleWelshMP this week. A powerful discussion, with impassioned pleas from those working with #harmedmums to bring real change and righteous anger from the women themselves who’ve had devastating experiences.

[The Secret Life of Mothers @secretmotherpod]

Trigger warning: Elaine’s experience of baby loss. What a woman! Dynamic, positive, honest and very authentic. It was a privilege to interview her for the podcast.
She describes her house as one of laughter and of seizing each day, because who knows what tomorrow will bring.

[Michelle Welsh MP @MichelleWelshMP]

I had the honour of being re-elected as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity today at the AGM.

Following the AGM, I held a meeting about safer staffing levels in maternity services. This is an issue I care deeply about - not just as an MP, but as someone who knows how critical safe, well-staffed maternity care is for positive outcomes for women, babies and families.

We had a constructive and honest discussion about the challenges staff are facing, and the changes needed to ensure every woman receives safe, compassionate care at every stage of pregnancy and beyond.

Thank you to our Secretariat @MidwivesRCM and all those who attended and spoke so openly today. It really is a privilege to be able to continue working together to build on our work over the past year.

[Matrescence Advocate Maggie @MatrescenceMGW]

#HappyMothersDay and here are some pictures from our session with #TheInternationNetworkOfWomen for #Brighton and #Hove reflecting on their mothers and themselves as mothers and grandmothers. Each wrote the word #mother in their language.

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

Booking link for tickets for our @MothersUncoverd @livestockarts charity fundraiser!
At The Walrus pub #Brighton

https://t.co/fQRgs7rxJH

[Michelle Welsh MP @MichelleWelshMP]

Too many parents are being left without a safety net at one of the most important and vulnerable times of their lives. Feeling overwhelmed, isolated or unsafe should never be considered a normal part of pregnancy, birth or early parenthood.

My comment in The Guardian ⬇️

https://t.co/UmMMAVlzER

[Michelle Welsh MP @MichelleWelshMP]

Yesterday I attended the @MidwivesRCM Parliamentary event.

It was good to meet midwives from across the country to hear their thoughts on what’s needed to ensure safe, high-quality maternity care for families 👶

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

Thank you to my fabulous @secretmotherpod podcast guests over the last year - sharing stories of their #matrescence with wit, grit and resilience!

All episodes here https://t.co/DlWCSKpOBT

[Maggie Gordon-Walker @mgordonwalker]

Anyone identify…? #Christmas is magical… and absolutely chaotic. If you’ve ticked even one of these, you’re in good company.
Our @MothersUncoverd groups exist for moments just like this. The tears, the laughs,
the overwhelm and everything in between.