Communications - Reports & Studies

Canadian Reports & Studies

• Caesarean Birth Task Force Report 2008 Published February 2008 by the British Columbia Perinatal Health Program (PDF)

• Cesarean Birth in BC: Trends, Perspectives & Future Strategies - Draft consensus panel statement (DRAFT PDF - January 2008)

• The Ontario Maternity Care Expert Panel: Emerging Crisis, Emerging Solutions (PDF September 2006)

• Giving Birth in Canada: The Costs - Published April 26, 2006 by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

• Giving Birth in Canada: A Regional Profile - Published September 9, 2004 by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

• Giving Birth in Canada: Providers of Maternity and Infant Care - Published April 21, 2004 by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

Internationally published Report & Studies

• Making Normal Birth a Reality: Consensus Statement from the Maternity Care Working Party (PDF - UK November 2007)
  The multi-disciplinary Maternity Care Working Party (MCWP) has developed a consensus statement on normal birth. The statement is calling for a precise working definition of ‘normal birth’ across UK to enable accurate comparisons to be made for similar women using different services and models of care.

• UK Safer Childbirth: Minimum standards for the organization and delivery of care in labour (PDF - October 2007)
  The Royal Colleges of Midwives, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Anaesthetists, and Paediatrics and Child Health have welcomed the opportunity to work together on this report which, sets out informed and considered views about the essential minimum staffing standards required to support women in labour and provide safe care for them and their babies.

• RCM and RCOG (UK) Joint statement on Home Birth (PDF - UK July 2007)
  The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) support home birth for women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
  
  There is no reason why home birth should not be offered to women at low risk of complications and it may confer considerable benefits for them and their families.
  
  There is ample evidence showing that labouring at home increases a woman's likelihood of a birth that is both satisfying and safe, with implications for her health and that of her baby.

• Female Genital Mutilation- An Educational Resource from the Royal College of Nurses (PDF - April 2006)

• National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), Oxford UK: Birth Centre Review (PDF - UK July 2005)
  Review of evidence about clinical, psychosocial and economic outcomes for women with straightforward pregnancies who plan to give birth in a midwife-led birth centre, and outcomes for their babies.

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) has published a series of position statements. Click here for the full list.