Comparison of midwife-led and consultant-led care of healthy women at low risk of childbirth complications in the Republic of Ireland: a randomised trial (the MidU study)

Abstract

Research synthesised in a Cochrane review shows that outcomes for women receiving midwifery- led and consultant-led care are similar but, internationally, there is variability in the availability of midwife-led units. In Ireland, there were no such units before 2004 and, amidst uncertainty about the safety and efficacy of midwife-led care, two alongside units were introduced within a randomised trial. This compared midwife-led and consultant-led care for women without risk factors, on rate of interventions, maternal satisfaction and neonatal and maternal outcomes. This trial, the MidU study, is the focus of this thesis.