WOMEN in childbirth and midwives must be protected as resources are diverted during the coronavirus crisis, maternity charity Birthrights said today.

Birthrights, which has senior midwives, obstetricians and anaesthetists from the NHS front line on its board, warned that the pandemic is affecting all areas of care and that maternity services are facing “huge” upheaval. 

Babies will be born at the same rate as ever during the crisis and, with resources diverted, perinatal services must remain “as robustly funded as possible” and treated as a priority, the charity said.