ABSTRACT
The 13 midwives from the Birth Centre whom we interviewed were asked to describe what their ideal maternity service would look like. Their responses are summarised in Table 9.1. The Birth Centre ideals, models and tensions
Characteristics of ideal maternity service
Number of respondents
More/real choice for women
9
Midwife-led care
8
More midwives
7
The Birth Centre
7
Continuity of care from booking to postnatal/NHS Midwifery Model/caseload midwifery/team midwifery
7
Home birth
3
Better birth environments and facilities
3
Independent midwifery
2
More local obstetric services/less distance to obstetric services
2
Woman-led care
1
Family-centred care
1
