Continuity of Care Midwifery- Nothing but Perks

Midwife descents from the English words ‘To be with women’.

Midwives have existed as long as babies have been born. Traditionally the wise women of the town would be the attendant WITH THE WOMAN at all births. As midwifery care has developed over the years there are many different options women have to choose from these days.

From private obstetric care, public midwifery care, midwifery group practise, community midwifery care, private midwifery care and the list goes on.

What has been proven to be best for women and babies, physically and mentally, is a model called ‘Continuity of Care’ (COC). This is where you have the same midwife or small group of midwives who care for you in your pregnancy, on-call for your birth, and care for you postnatally.

Mother’s have explained it as;

Continuity of staff
Continuity of relationship
Continuity of information
Continuity across pregnancies
Continuity across locations

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Many studies have displayed amazing results from a mother receiving continuity of care.

The established connection created through pregnancy allows the mother to feel safe and looked after in her pregnancy.

The midwife having a thorough understanding of what the parents want from their birth prior to being in labour allow the midwife to guide them to have that experience and protect their values.

The parents are often better educated antenatally about labour and birth, pain relief techniques, mental and physical preparation when looked after by COC. More information on the benefits of child birth education here.

When Women receive COC they:

Less Emergency Cesarean sections

This particular study incorporating 1089 women in total displayed Emergency Cesarean Section results of 13.3% in the COC group in comparison 17.8% in the Hospital-based care group.

A Cochrane review of 17,674 women suggests that women receiving COC:

Are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth
Less likely to have epidural analgesia
Less likely to have Episiotomies
Less likely to have Instrumental births.
Less likely to experience a pre‐term birth
Women rated midwife‐led continuity of care models highly in terms of satisfaction

In summary, I suggest that if your hospital provides some sort of Continuity of Care option to try your hardest to be in their care. Otherwise, consider a pirate midwife for either a home birth or hospital birth with your private midwife- whichever you feel more comfortable doing. Yes, private midwives do cost money, however see it as an exchange of value, if you value a low – no intervention birth, where you feel safe and heard then its so worth it. Especially if you compare to how much money we spend on our cars per year, meals out, clothes, surfboards, whatever you buy, this experience is the birth of your baby, the birth of a new mother, the initiation of the appetence (instinctual connect and bond) that will establish your relationship with your baby forever.

It’s worth it.