Half of all women in labour experience a "red flag" event where basic care is delayed or undelivered, according to new research.
The report by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) claims this highlights the worrying shortage of midwives.
Examples of red flag events include waiting times of more than 30 minutes for pain relief during childbirth, medication doses being missed, and delays of more than an hour for stitches.
Elizabeth Duff, a senior policy adviser at the NCT, believes the study exposes a crisis in maternity care.
"No women should have to suffer a red flag event when bringing a baby into the world. Severe staffing shortages must be acted on so that every family receives an acceptable level of care," she said.
Sky News spoke to mothers at a play centre in southwest London.
Most felt their labour hadn't gone to plan, and said staff often appeared under pressure.
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