Evaluating Midwifery Units (EMU): a prospective cohort study of freestanding midwifery units in New South Wales, Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare maternal and neonatal birth outcomes and morbidities associated with the intention to give birth in two freestanding midwifery units and two tertiary-level maternity units in New South Wales, Australia.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Participants

494 women who intended to give birth at freestanding midwifery units and 3157 women who intended to give birth at tertiary-level maternity units. Participants had low risk, singleton pregnancies and were at less than 28(+0) weeks gestation at the time of booking.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes were mode of birth, Apgar score of less than 7 at 5 min and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery. Secondary outcomes were onset of labour, analgesia

SUBMITTER: Monk A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4216868 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature