Midwifery in Scotland: diversity in adversity

Abstract

Scottish midwifery and maternity services shared much with the UK since 1993: appreciation of the expectations and needs of mothers and families; smaller families, older mothers; women with complex medical problems; rising caesarean sections; treatments for infertility; the (re)introduction of single registered midwives, the move to higher education and from hospital to community based care; the closure of small maternity units; increased duties following the reduction of junior doctors' hours; and consultant midwives.