Take Ownership of Your Pregnancy Care: Why Personalised, Caseload Midwifery Matters
A recent BBC article highlights an ongoing crisis in maternity services. Despite years of warnings and recommendations, little has changed. Depersonalised, intervention-heavy approaches dominate, leaving many women feeling unsupported during pregnancy and birth. The result? Rising intervention rates, birth trauma, and an overall lack of trust in the system.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
The Proven Power of Personalised Care
We already know what works. Personalised, caseload midwifery models — where women are supported by the same midwife throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — deliver safer and more satisfying outcomes. This is not just anecdotal evidence:
Studies show that continuity of care reduces the likelihood of preterm birth by 24% and lowers the need for interventions like epidurals and caesareans (Cochrane Review).
The Albany Midwives, once a shining example of personalised care in the UK, achieved a C-section rate of just 16% (compared to nearly 30% nationally) and consistently reported nearly 100% satisfaction from the women they cared for.
Yet models like these, including One to One Midwives, have been shut down due to funding issues and resistance from the powers that be. Instead, many maternity units insist on sticking to a depersonalised, "conveyor belt" style of care that prioritises protocol over people. This approach is failing women and babies.
Birth Trauma and Maternal Satisfaction: What’s at Stake
The emotional impact of maternity care is often overlooked. But the statistics are alarming:
In the UK, 1 in 3 women describe their births as traumatic.
Around 4% of women develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a direct result of their birth experience (Birth Trauma Association).
These figures are not inevitable. They are a direct consequence of rushed appointments, unfamiliar staff, and intervention-heavy protocols. When women are listened to, supported, and treated as individuals, birth trauma rates plummet. Models like the Albany Midwives and One to One Midwives have shown us this: they foster respect, trust, and autonomy, which leads to better emotional and physical outcomes.
Continuity of care doesn’t just prevent trauma — it increases satisfaction. Women who receive continuity of care are 38% more likely to report a positive birth experience. They feel empowered to make informed decisions, confident in their ability to birth, and supported by someone they know and trust.
What About Homebirths?
Groups like Home Birth Support Group UK, run by Doula Samantha Gadson, provide a wealth of information and support.
Data from these communities shows that mothers who plan home births — even those who transfer to hospital during labour — experience better outcomes. Why?
These are the women who educate themselves, prepare with relaxation tools, and advocate for their needs. They don’t refuse medical help when it’s necessary, but they approach interventions as part of a thoughtful, informed plan.
In contrast, obstetric units see far higher rates of interventions. Caesarean section rates in some hospitals have reached almost 50%, far above the WHO recommendation of 10–15%. Induction rates are also soaring, with nearly 40% of women in England being induced (NHS Maternity Statistics). The question is clear: is this system truly working for women and their babies? Or are we over-medicalising birth to the detriment of outcomes?
Useful Organisations for Support and Advocacy
Taking ownership of your care doesn’t mean going it alone. There are several incredible organisations that can support you in understanding your rights, advocating for your needs, and recovering from a difficult birth experience:
AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services):
Offers advice, information, and support to help you make informed choices in maternity care.Birthrights:
A charity dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights in childbirth. They provide resources and advocacy to ensure dignity and respect in maternity care.Birth Trauma Association:
Supports women who have experienced traumatic births, offering resources and peer support to aid recovery.
If you’re recovering from a difficult or traumatic birth, you might also benefit from the 3 Step Rewind Technique, a gentle process that helps release the emotional impact of trauma. I offer this service — learn more about it here.
Looking for Support?
If you're ready to feel confident and prepared for your birth, I offer evidence-based tools and techniques to help you navigate your pregnancy and labour with confidence. Did you know that having a trusted birth companion — whether a partner, doula, or supportive midwife — can dramatically improve birth outcomes? Studies show that women with continuous support during labour are:
25% less likely to have a caesarean birth,
31% less likely to use pain medication, and
34% more likely to report a positive birth experience (Cochrane Review).
My services focus on helping you prepare for your unique journey with practical, evidence-based strategies, relaxation techniques, and guidance tailored to your needs. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, or simply want to feel empowered in your choices, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
You can also join the Forest of Dean Pregnancy and Birth Support Group on Facebook for a local community of women and birth professionals offering guidance, encouragement, and a safe space to discuss your options.
Join the group here.
Explore my services here or contact me directly to find out how I can help you prepare for the birth experience you deserve.
The Bottom Line
Women deserve better. We know that personalised, caseload midwifery delivers better outcomes, prevents trauma, and improves satisfaction. So why isn’t it the standard? Until the system changes, it’s up to us as mothers and advocates to push for the care we know works best — and to prepare ourselves for the journey ahead.
Inspired by her own transformative birth 16 years ago with the support of an Independent Midwife, Emma has dedicated her life to empowering women through evidence-based, personalised care.
With a degree in Antenatal Education and qualifications as a Doula, Pregnancy Yoga Teacher, and Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, she blends evidence-based research, compassion, and intuition to support families on their journey to parenthood.
Emma says, 'My mission is to help women trust their instincts, embrace their power, and confidently step into their roles as mothers, while ensuring their partners feel included and supported too.