New research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has revealed that women who choose continuity of midwifery care from early pregnancy until birth, have a lower chance of caesarean and other interventions in birth.

This was a randomised-controlled trial, meaning women were allocated to receive caseload midwifery care, or standard hospital care.

caseload midwifery care saw the women being cared for by up to four midwives, while standard care saw the women cared for by a different midwife at each antenatal appointment, and then whichever midwife was on shift at the time that the woman came into labour.

Women allocated to caseload were less likely to have a caesarean, episiotomy, induction and epidural.  Babies of women who were allocated to caseload midwifery were less likely to be admitted to special or neonatal intensive care nurseries.

This is great news for women who choose to birth with their own midwife.  They can now make this choice in the knowledge that this decision will make them more likely to experience a natural birth with minimal intervention.

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