Benefits of Continuity

Vaginal birth

Women receiving continuity of carer have higher rates of spontaneous, unassisted vaginal births (Sandall et al., 2016; Tracy et al., 2014).

Maternal satisfaction

Continuity of carer has been shown to improve women's experience in the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods due to care being personalised, with a relationship of trust and empowerment between woman and midwife (Forster et al, 2016; Perriman et al, 2018; Teate, 2018)

Birth at home

The national home birth rate is around 2%. 

However, continuity of carer models have reported home birth rates of up to 43.5% (Homer et al, 2017; Collins and Kingdon, 2014) and are possibly even higher.

Breastfeeding initiation and continuation

Women are more likely to initiate breastfeeding at birth, as well as having higher rates of breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks postnatally. (Homer et al., 2017)

Miscarriage <24 weeks

Women are 19% less likely to experience a pregnancy loss below 24 weeks (Sandall et al., 2016).

Premature birth

Women are 24% less likely to give birth prematurely (Sandall et al., 2016).

Admissions to neonatal unit

Admission rates to neonatal intensive care units and special care baby units are found to be lower in women receiving continuity of carer. 

Low birth weight babies

Low birth weight babies are at higher risks of complications prior to, during and after birth. Rates of low birth weight babies are lower in women receiving caseloading care (Homer et al., 2017)

Caesarean section

Although research is mixed on this topic, rates of caesarean section have been found to be lower in women receiving continuity of carer (McLachlan et al, 2012; Homer et al, 2017)

Instrumental birth

Women are less likely to have assisted births with either forceps or ventouse (Sandall et al., 2016)

Pain relief in labour

Women are 15% less likely to have an epidural in labour, and are more likely to birth without any analgesia. 

Induction of labour

Women are less likely to have induction of labour (Homer et al., 2017)

Episiotomy 

Women are less likely to have an episiotomy in labour.