Seventy per cent of the 2,000 mothers questioned in the survey felt that an extra 5,000 midwives would be "life-changing". The option of 12 months of statutory leave was also seen as a top priority for 67 per cent of participants.
Mothers also labelled six-week psychological check-ups, more frequent Oftsed checks for nurseries and childminders and one-to-one breastfeeding support at hospital and at home, as vote-winning policies
Commenting on mothers' calls for more midwives, the Royal College of Midwives general secretary Cathy Warwick said: "Mothers and midwives are at one on this issue: we need more midwives.
"As the survey shows, issues around breastfeeding and postnatal depression (PND) are real concerns for women.
"More midwives will help in both areas, and more specialist midwives and facilities for those with PND is something we would welcome."
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