ABSTRACT
King’s Healthcare provides maternity care to 4200 women a year. The women will be from a variety of social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, so the circumstances of each individual will be unique. The challenge for the labour ward team is to create an environment that is supportive to the woman and her partner and makes them feel that their special circumstances and wishes are respected by those providing their care. The importance of ascertaining the woman’s wishes and ensuring that she is involved in discussions regarding her care cannot be overemphasized. Women with uncomplicated pregnancies normally have their care provided totally by midwives. Midwives are expected, once they have been taught, to suture the perineum and to set up intravenous infusions. Midwifery, medical and nursing students are allocated to the labour ward and gain their experience working with the mothers, midwives and doctors.
