Innovation category Mentioned innovation NL UK
Telehealth Telephone appointments (prenatal and postnatal) X X
Video appointments (prenatal and postnatal), which needed other innovations: Technology so that healthcare providers can perform digital consultations securely (e.g., Mobilea) Training for maternity care staff on the provision of remote antenatal and postnatal consultations X X X X X
Video calling partner/other preferred person for women during appointments attended alone X X
E-Health: Blood pressure monitoring at home Glucose monitoring at home Urine monitoring at home X X X X
More focus on digital information and education for pregnant women, e.g. via a Q&A with care providers, online information videos, and online communities X X
Online Centering Pregnancy and antenatal classes X X
Use of headphones during birth to hear the voice of the private doula X
Telephone or video call helplines, or email for urgent enquiries from pregnant women, to be reviewed and responded to by maternity care staff X
Video tours of hospitals X X
Provision of a (short) film of ultrasound scans for women to give to their partners X X
Increased use of social media and local charities in the dissemination of important information, such as positive social media narratives. X X
Digital communication Improved digital sharing of patient information between care providers, such as Use of electronic record systems Use of phone, computer or web-based applications to share patient data easily and securely X X X X X
Improved digital communication between different care providers: through meetings, webinars, online conferences and education courses X X
Staff wellbeing Psychological support to improve staff wellbeing X X
More frequent and improved rest and break facilities (such as more comfortable seating) X
Additional practical support, e.g., availability of childcare facilities and parking spaces X
Shorter working shifts X X
A resilient maternity care system Escalation plans in case of major capacity problems X X
Digital storage of important work documents to run a midwifery practice/hospital department, in case of major capacity problems X X
Crisis app groups on phones to connect different disciplines in maternity care quickly in an emergency (organisational emergencies, not patient emergencies) X
Development of novel ways to transfer women in non-urgent situations during labour (e.g., by dedicated taxis), for potential ambulance capacity issues X
Novel locations for birth, such as such the use of hotels as birth centres X
Strengthening community provision Altered methods for induction of labour, enabling women to be at home during early labour. X
Commissioning of new off-hospital locations e.g., ultrasound scans in new community locations X
Increased individualisation in the schedule of antenatal appointments (e.g., fewer appointments where that is the woman’s preference) X X
Provision of access to midwifery support at home in early labour, enabling women to remain at home for longer X
Establishment of new continuity models of care X
Early discharge from hospital X
Expansion of the role of the primary care midwife, so that secondary care is less likely to be necessary X
Attention for financial support of parents (to be) (e.g., active providing of financial information) X