Are you pregnant and feeling the impact of the recent news coverage?

04/06/2026 | written by Dr Aditi Sharma

On the back of the Maternity Failures: The Fight for Justice Panorama documentary and the upcoming release of the Ockenden review towards the end of this month, this may raise some difficulties if you or a loved one is pregnant.

The personal accounts shared by parents and former staff have highlighted serious concerns about safety, communication, and women feeling unheard during pregnancy and birth. For those currently pregnant, these stories may bring up a mix of emotions. Alongside sadness and anger for affected families, you may notice your own anxiety about your own pregnancy, birth, or interactions with healthcare professionals.

Why are we so drawn to these stories?

Hearing about situations where women felt unheard, unsupported, or where care fell short can activate our threat system. This is the part of our mind that scans for danger and works hard to protect us from harm.

During pregnancy, this threat system can become heightened as we prepare to care for and protect a baby. Therefore, it is natural for our minds to become more alert to information about potential risks and difficulties because we want to do the best for us and our baby. 

When we hear distressing stories about maternity care, our threat system may respond by becoming hypervigilant. You might find yourself repeatedly searching online, imagining worst-case scenarios, seeking reassurance, or feeling constantly on edge. These are understandable responses because they usually reflect attempts to regain a sense of safety and control. Although long term can feel tiring.

What to do when the risk feels real?

In this case, concerns around maternity care feel like a real threat. When the threat feels real, our minds naturally want certainty. So in an attempt to find certainty we may find ourselves searching for more information, imagining what could go wrong, or becoming increasingly focused on potential risks. However, these attempts can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from the present and unable to take a wider perspective.

We are not suggesting to ignore the realities highlighted by maternity inquiries or to minimise the experiences of affected families or convince ourselves that everything will be fine. Instead, we can try to acknowledge that what we have heard is distressing, recognise why it may have affected us, and to consider what we need in order to feel safe and supported.

For example, asking yourself "What would help me feel informed, supported, and cared for right now?" For some women, this may mean discussing concerns with their midwife or a friend. For others, it may involve limiting exposure to distressing media coverage, leaning on trusted sources of support, or recognising that anxiety is a natural response to hearing difficult stories.

The stories emerging from maternity inquiries should be taken seriously. At the same time, you can utilise support, kindness, and perspective as you navigate your own pregnancy journey. We can take our concerns seriously whilst also making space for hope, support, and trust.