Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Birth centres seek to promote \nphysiological childbirth by \nrecognising, respecting and \nsafeguarding normal birth processes.This \nphilosophy enableswomen and their \nfamilies to experience a positive start to \nparenthood (Kirkham2003a).Midwives are \nalso able to practise ‘realmidwifery’ \n(Kirkham2003b: 14). Indeed,when there is \nno risk tomother or baby, themother should \nbe the personwho decideswhere her birth \nwill take place (DoH2004).Astructured \nreviewof birth centres carried out byWalsh \nand Downe (2004) found that five studies \nreported benefits towomen choosing to \nbirth their babies in freestanding birth \ncentres.There is alsowell-documented \nevidence that home births andmidwife-led \ncare are safe options forwomen (Tew1998, \nWalsh 2000, van derHulst et al 2004).
Source: PubMed
Authors: Ruth Deery, Pat Jones, Mari Phillips
Institution: University of Huddersfield
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1542520828