Midwife crisis: Quarter of maternity specialists thinking of quitting over long hours as Britain is in the grip of baby boom Survey finds midwives are increasing demoralised and disillusioned Country already faces shortage of maternity specialists, official figures show Britain is facing a midwife crisis with almost a quarter of midwives considering quitting their profession in the next 12 months because of resentment over pay and conditions. A survey by The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) found that members were feeling demoralised, disillusioned and burned-out. An increasing sense of alienation in the workplace led more than a third of the 1,025 midwives questioned to admit that they often think about leaving their NHS trust. Crucial role: But a survey suggests that as Britain's birth rate soar midwives are increasingly feeling demoralised, disillusioned and burned-out, and that many are considering leaving the profession And 24 per cent said they were so disenchanted with their profession that they would potentially change careers within the next year. Of those with less than 10 years' service, that figure increased to 29 per cent. Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the RCM, said that midwives faced increased work pressures, with many carrying out a growing amount of unpaid work despite the rewards they receive diminishing. She said: 'While maternity staff remain committed to mothers and their families, I feel that the goodwill and kindness of midwives is being eroded and our members are facing the thin end of the wedge.' A report released by the National Audit Office last week highlighted a shortage of midwives and consultants on labour wards, with a shortfall of around 2,300 midwives during 2012. But the RCM estimates that number is more like 4,800, partly because of the ageing workforce. Up to 40 per cent of midwives are expected to retire in the next 10 years, the RCM said. 'The rewards they receive are diminishing': Midwives were also worried about having to work beyond 65 and many highlighted concerns about increasing amounts of unpaid overtime and long hours impacting on safety The survey, which comes ahead of the RCM's annual conference in Telford this week, also found that less than half of midwives (46 per cent) felt a sense of belonging to their NHS trust. The majority of midwives were highly motivated and committed to serving the mothers and babies in their care, yet more than half were dissatisfied with the recognition they receive for 'good work' and the value placed on their work by their trust. And two thirds of respondents said they opposed performance-related pay. Maternity staff are being required to work harder to meet the increasing demands of the service during the baby boom, including performing a growing amount of unpaid work Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives Midwives were also worried about having to work beyond 65 and many highlighted concerns about increasing amounts of unpaid overtime and long hours impacting on safety. Prof Warwick added: 'Maternity staff are being required to work harder to meet the increasing demands of the service during the baby boom, including performing a growing amount of unpaid work. The rewards they receive are diminishing. Our cash-strapped members are reporting working bank shifts during the holidays to make ends meet and are increasingly burning out and becoming disillusioned. This cannot go on.