Table 1 Overview of 17 RCTs of midwifery-led care

1.Begley et al. 2011 [67]

Data collection 2005–07

Ireland; two midwifery units (Drogheda, Cavan)

n = 1102; Healthy pregnant women (i.e. low risk)

Midwifery-led care by same small team of midwives (7 midwives in one unit/team, 12 in the other unit) for the antenatal period, intra-partum and up to 7 days post-partum

✓

✓

✓(7 days)

2.Biro et al. 2003 [26]

(+Biro 2000) [41]

Data collection 1996–98

Australia; one medical centre (Melbourne)

n = 502; Pregnant women of any risk status

Team midwifery provided by 7 midwives for antenatal, intra-partum and the immediate post-partum period (1 day)

✓

✓

✓(1 day)

3.Flint et al. 1989 [27]

Data collection 1983–85

UK (England); one maternity hospital (London)

n = 503; Low risk pregnant women

Team of 4 midwives offering continuity of care for antenatal, labour and immediate post-partum period (exact period not specified)

✓

✓

✓(unspecified)

4.Giles et al. 1992 [28]

Data collection

1989–90

Australia; one teaching hospital (Sydney)

n = 43; Low risk pregnant women

Midwife-led care from team of 4 midwives throughout pregnancy (labour and post-partum care was provided by other staff/midwives)

✓

???

5.Gu et al. 2013 [29]

Data collection 2011

China; one obstetric hospital (Fudan)

n = 55; Low risk, first pregnancy/birth

Midwife-led antenatal, intra-partum care, and for first two hours post-partum provided by one of 10 midwives (or an associate)

✓

✓

6.Harvey et al. 2002 [30]

Data collection period not stated

Canada; one tertiary referral centre (Alberta)

n = 101; Low risk women/pregnancies

Midwife-led care by team of 7 midwives, from booking visit through to intra-partum and post-partum, plus a 6 week follow-up clinic visit

✓

✓

✓(one 6 week follow-up visit)

7.Hicks 2003 [31]

Data collection period not stated

UK (England); antenatal clinics in study area

(location not stated)

n = 200; First 200 low risk women to book in study area once study began

Team midwifery (eight midwives) providing continuity of care

✓

✓

✓

8. Homer et al. 2001a [68] [BJOG]

(+Homer et al. 2001b [37] [AHR])

Data collection 1997–98

Australia; one teaching hospital (Sydney)

n = 550; Women with no significant medical problems or previous caesarean (i.e. low risk)

Community-based continuity of midwifery care through a team of 6 midwives and one obstetrician; intra-partum care and 3–4 domiciliary visits in post-natal period

✓

✓

✓(3–4 visits)

9.McLachlan BK et al. 2000 [40]

Data collection period not stated

UK (England); 35 GP practices across six areas (North Staffordshire)

n = 770; Any pregnant women in study area

Caseload midwifery – midwives working in groups of 2–3 to achieve high degree of continuity with community focussed care for pregnancy and delivery in hospital. No community follow-up specified

✓

✓

10.McLachlan HL et al. 2012 [23]

Data collection

2007–11

Australia; one tertiary hospital (Melbourne)

n = 1156; Low risk women/pregnancies

Caseload midwifery – one primary midwife with back-up midwives. From booking visit until birth, and early post-natal hospital stay (approx. 1–3 days).

✓

✓

✓(1–3 days in hospital)

11.Rowley et al. 1995 [48]

Data collection 1991–92

Australia; one tertiary university hospital (NSW)

n = 405; High or low risk women/pregnancies

Team midwifery from 6 midwives for antenatal period until delivery and ‘just after’ birth

✓

✓

12.Tracy et al. 2013 [32]

Data collection 2008–11

Australia; two teaching hospitals (NSW and Brisbane)

n = 871; Pregnant women with any risk: singleton pregnancy and no planned caesarean (other risks acceptable)

Caseload midwifery from named midwife or back-up midwife, giving antenatal, intra-partum and post-natal care (up to 6 weeks after birth)

✓

✓

✓(up to 6wks)

13.Turnbull et al. 1996 [65]

(+Young 1997 [69], Shields 1998 [70], Turnbull 1999 [71])

Data collection 1993–94

UK (Scotland); One maternity hospital (Glasgow)

n = 648; Low risk women/pregnancies

Midwife-led care with continuity of carer (named midwife with back-up midwife), throughout antenatal, intra-partum and post-natal period (women seen at home, but length of follow-up not specified)

✓

✓

✓(unspecified)

14.Waldenström et al. 2000 [72] (+Waldenström 2001 [73])

Data collection 1996–97

Australia; one women’s hospital (Melbourne)

n = 495; Low risk women/pregnancies

Team midwifery (8 midwives) providing continuity of care from booking visit, to birth, and post-natal ward (days 1–3, in hospital)

✓

✓

✓(1–3 days in hospital)

15. Waldenström et al. 1994 [35]

(+Waldenström 1997a Birth [74], Waldenström 1997b BJOG [38])

Data collection 1989–93

Sweden; one birthing centre (Stockholm)

n = 928; Low risk women/pregnancies

Team midwifery (10 midwives) providing antenatal, intra-partum, and post-partum care (up to 2 months after birth)

✓

✓

✓(up to 2 months)

16.Walker et al. 2013 [33]

Data collection 2009–10

Mexico; 27 rural clinics (Oaxaca and Guerrero states)

n = 461; All pregnant women in study area

Team of 12: obstetric nurses (4) and midwives (8) added to rural practice care for antenatal, intra-partum and post-natal period (length of follow-up not specified)

✓

✓

✓(unspecified)

17.Wu et al. 2010 [34]

Data collection 2000–3

China; rural community-based model (Anhui province)

n = 673; All pregnant women in intervention areas

Systematic midwifery care during antenatal care and delivery

✓

✓