Swedish women's interest in models of midwifery care – Time to consider the system? A prospective longitudinal survey

Abstract

BackgroundSweden has an international reputation for offering high quality maternity care, although models that provide continuity of care are rare. The aim was to explore women's interest in models of care such as continuity with the same midwife, homebirth and birth center care. MethodsA prospective longitudinal survey where 758 women's interest in models such as having the same midwife throughout antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care, homebirth with a known midwife, and birth center care were investigated. ResultsApproximately 50% wanted continuity of care with the same midwife throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Few participants were interested in birth center care or home birth. Fear of giving birth was associated with a preference for continuity with midwife. ConclusionsContinuity with the same midwife could be of certain importance to women with childbirth fear. Models that offer continuity of care with one or two midwives are safe, cost-effective and enhance the chance of having a normal birth, a positive birth experience and possibly reduce fear of birth. The evidence is now overwhelming that all women should have maternity care delivered in this way.