Perinatal Outcomes for Four Toronto Midwifery Practices: Exploring Best Practices for Normal Birth

Vicki Van Wagner RM, PhD; Mary Sharpe RM, PhD; Judy Rogers RM, MA; Elizabeth Brandeis RM, BHSc; Andrea Levy RM, BHSc; Tia Sarkar RM, BHSc; Bridget Lynch RM, MA; Kristen Dennis RM, BHSc; Leah Klein RM, BHSc; Jenna Robertson RM, MA

ABSTRACT
This study explores outcomes from four Toronto midwifery practices from 2003 to 2007, using data from the Midwifery Outcomes Database to look at similarities and differences between the practices and with provincial averages. The goals of our project included establishing a university/community partnership with the participating practices, which included Ryerson and McMaster University faculty members; improving capacity among midwives with using a provincial database; and producing a comprehensive perinatal outcomes report for midwifery practices that could be used for internal review and for presentation at interprofessional forums such as hospital rounds and interprofessional conferences. A comparative analysis between the practices and with the provincial midwifery data showed several trends, including an increased incidence of late maternal age, low rates of intervention, and high rates of home birth. Our research raises questions about scope of practice and best practices for supporting normal birth.

KEYWORDS
midwifery, community midwifery, midwifery-led care, normal birth

This article has been peer reviewed.