‘Always Ask’ campaign empowers pregnant women to trust their instincts and speak up

A new campaign called ‘Always Ask’ has been launched to encourage parents-to-be to voice any fears or health concerns they have to health professionals.

The campaign has been set up by Tommy’s, King’s College London and Babycentre after research showed more than 60% of pregnant women worry they’re wasting midwives’ time by raising health concerns.

The aim is to reduce the number of women who end up with serious pregnancy complications or who suffer loss that could have been prevented.

‘Always Ask’ is all about knowing your own body and listening to your instincts.

The campaign also endeavours to empower women so that they can recognise any potential problems, explain their concerns to health professionals and also ensure that they are listened to and taken seriously.

Remember, you are definitely NOT wasting time or being a nuisance when raising your concerns to a health professional during your pregnancy.

Two animations have been created, voiced by midwife Clemmie Hooper, or @MotherofDaughters as she is known to her hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers.

Clemmie said: ‘This campaign is so important. As a midwife, I would always rather someone come to see me with their concerns ten times and for it be a false alarm, rather than miss someone the one time they really need to be seen.’

Tips for speaking up during pregnancy

  • Don’t play it down – take your concerns seriously and others will too
  • Be specific – say what has changed, even if you don’t think it’s related to your pregnancy
  • Begin by saying, ‘I am concerned…’
  • Ask the healthcare professionals for their name
  • Make a list of all your concerns
  • Write down what you’re told
  • It’s ok to say you are feeling vulnerable and frightened
  • Before you leave the appointment consider whether you have asked all your questions and are satisfied with the answers
  • If you can’t make yourself heard, you don’t agree, or you feel uncomfortable, say ‘Let me think about that and get back to you’
  • If you are not happy with the response ask for a second opinion

Take a look

View the ‘Always Ask’ animations

See tips on Speaking up during pregnancy