A LOCAL MP has called on the government to end the inequalities faced by disabled women during their maternity care having shared her own experiences to help shape future services.

Marie Tidball, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, secured a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting, to discuss putting maternity care for disabled women at the heart of the government’s women’s health strategy.

A landmark report released last March found disabled women have a 44 per cent higher likelihood of stillbirth compared to non-disabled women.

The analysis found widespread challenges in accessing care, including inaccessible facilities and information, negative attitudes of healthcare providers and lack of continuity of care.

To tackle this, ministers are setting up a rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services.

Marie was born with a congenital disability, which affects all four limbs.

She has foreshortened arms and legs, with one digit on each hand, and has long campaigned for better services for expectant mothers.

Marie said: “Too often disabled women’s bodies are deemed not to count.

“As a disabled mother myself I was devastated by the barriers that I faced at every point during my pregnancy.

“Every disabled woman deserves to experience pregnancy and motherhood with dignity, respect and support.

“Following my own experience of maternity care, I am determined to use my voice to improve the lives of other disabled women.

“I am delighted that work to drive improvements to patient safety, with the voices of mothers at its heart, will have such brilliant local leadership.

“I will continue to work closely with government and Barnsley Hospital to ensure every woman can experience pregnancy and motherhood with the dignity, respect, and inclusive maternity care that we deserve.”

She asked Mr Streeting to meet with her to ‘discuss ensuring inclusive maternity care for disabled women’ is at the heart of the government’s strategy ‘so that our womanhood is no-longer invisible’.

In response, Dr Zubir Ahmed, Minister for Health, Innovation and Safety said: “We need to take decisive action to close the gap on inequalities to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised and compassionate care.”