Discussion: the coalition for improving maternity services:.

Abstract

The Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care developed by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) provides guidelines for caregivers, hospitals, birth centers, and home birth services that are committed to ensuring their services are "mother-friendly." The evidence basis compiled by the CIMS Expert Work Group for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care confirms that substantial support exists for the Ten Steps. Furthermore, the group's findings-along with the results from the Listening to Mothers II survey-support the relevance and continued importance of the Ten Steps, as well as the larger CIMS Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative, and suggest future direction for researchers, maternity caregivers, and childbearing women. Suggestions for ongoing research and effective advocacy on behalf of mother-friendly care practices are encouraged.