Maternity
Martha's Rule
You will have a number of choices to make during your pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born. There is a lot of information available, which can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Martha's Rule is available if you are worried that someone receiving care in our maternity services is becoming unwell and this is not being recognised, at any stage of pregnancy, during labour, or after birth while in the hospital
When to call Martha's Rule
- Where there is a significant change in a patient's condition and, after discussion with the ward team your concerns have not been addressed.
- You have ongoing medical concerns even after discussing them with the midwives or doctors.
Signs of deterioration to look out for in pregnant, or recently pregnant people
To help detect the early signs of deterioration, please tell the ward team if you are worried about:
- Changes in temperature - hot or cold to the touch
- Worsening or constant pain
- Any changes to the skin (eg. rash)
- Significant ongoing bleeding
- Changes in breathing
- Low energy, drowsy or sleepy
- New confusion, or altered mental state
- Anything else that worries you
Telling hospital staff about these changes can help us detect deterioration early, so we can take action to prevent more serious health problems.
Find out more
Are you worried we haven't heard your concern?