RCM: The contribution of continuity of midwifery care to high quality maternity care (October 2017)

Summary

This report, from the Royal College of Midwives, found that continuity of midwifery care contributes to improving quality and safety of maternity care. High quality evidence indicates that women who receive care in these models are more likely to have effective care, a better experience and improved clinical outcomes. There is some evidence of improved access to care by women who find services hard to reach and better co-ordination of care with specialist and obstetric services.

Continuity of midwifery care can provide services for all women across all settings, whether women are classified as high or low risk and current evidence shows improved outcomes with no adverse effects in populations of mixed risk. In addition improved birth outcomes also result when women receiving continuity of midwifery care give birth in obstetric units.

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