Putting it all together

Remember when we looked at the care that Amani had in last week’s case study? Did you find it a helpful demonstration of midwifery continuity of care in practice – especially when compared with Janet’s story from Week 1?

Amani’s experience was a clear example of the Integrality Framework in action. Like any pregnant woman, Amani needed pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care. She also had some needs unique to her situation: a feto-maternal specialist, a neonatologist, social workers, a translator and a physiotherapist. From her inside perspective of knowing Amani’s situation, feelings, desires and needs, Amani’s midwife Anne was able to coordinate all the care that was needed while providing the required midwifery care as well.

Look what happens when people come together

Now we’re going to look at some other case studies from around the world: maternity care systems that are making a difference to the lives of the women and families being cared for through integrated midwifery-based care. It’s important you see what relationship-based care looks like, and how it’s being implemented, so you can start thinking about how it might work in your own area.

From the northern wilds of Canada, to a large hospital in India, and a rural hospital in Australia, you’ll see that when maternity care is based on midwifery continuity of care and provided within the principles of the Integrality Framework, it can work on any scale and in any context.

Over to you

Who do you think drives changes in maternity care? Is it mothers, midwives, doctors, or policy makers? Who leads the reform?