Authors' objectives:

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of free-standing midwife-led maternity units (MLMUs)

Authors' recommendations: The safety and effectiveness of intrapartum care in free-standing MLMUs relative to hospital based settings has yet to be established, although adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes are rare in both settings in women at low obstetric risk. We found four studies examining free-standing midwife-led maternity units (MLMUs) in the UK, none of which were randomised comparisons. The studies restricted inclusion to women at low obstetric risk, typically parous women with no significant obstetric risk factors, but the details of eligibility differed between studies. Interventions such as episiotomy and the use of analgesia were less frequent for MLMU than for hospital deliveries but this may reflect differences in the populations studied. The studies provided insufficient evidence regarding the impact of MLMUs on neonatal outcomes.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk

Year Published: 2004

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development

Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662

Copyright: Bazian Ltd, Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development