[ad_1]
The researchers analysed 87 birthings depicted on the popular BBC show as well as those shown on This Is Going To Hurt and Channel 4’s One Born Every Minute.
The experts then compared these depictions to modern guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Experts call on ‘warning’ for Call The Midwife amid ‘inaccurate birthing practices’
While most scenes compared favourably to modern guidelines, a third of depictions showed midwives and doctors clamping umbilical cords in an inaccurate or dramatised manner.
The researchers said that without a health warning, viewers and healthcare professionals watching the BBC show could think these practices are standard.
Current NICE guidelines state that women should not have the umbilical cord clamped earlier than one minute unless there are concerns about cord integrity or the baby’s heartbeat.
Despite this, the research, which was published in JRSM Open, found that in 21 instances, clamping appeared to happen immediately or too early.
Susan Bewley, professor emeritus of obstetrics and women’s health at King’s College London, said: “Millions of viewers watch programmes like Call The Midwife every week to be entertained but the line between fact and fiction is blurred.
“We are impressed that UK television shows have accurately depicted some changes in childbirth over the last century, but on the other hand they have also provided the public with a picture of poor-quality care when it comes to clamping during childbirth.
“These inaccurate depictions could influence how people see real-world care.
“We saw too early cord clamping in most televised births but no programme informed viewers about the safety aspects.
“When showing outdated practices, broadcasters have a public health duty to inform viewers that this immediate medical intervention is no longer recommended. No broadcaster would show the…
[ad_2]
