I agree that the number of women in X category is a significant issue. I
believe their are a number of reasons for the high number amongst them and
probably not least of these is the prevalent belief that childbirth is a
medical matter and, as such, needs to be dealt with within a hospital
setting.
A further consideration is the dispersal of the extended family of women,
who in the past may well have acted as a source of knowledge regarding what
is and what isn't normal and also had a more realistic understanding of
established labour and when the midwife was needed.
Locally, in order to stem the tide of X rated women(!) we are looking at a
wholesale redesign of our maternity services by (amongst other things)
introducing modified caseload midwifery. I have to say that I am ambivalent
about this - it seems to me that we are trying to reinvent the wheel as,
anecdotally, so many units have gone down this road and failed - normally
due to insufficient staff.
It would be interesting to know whether midwifery group practices who
practice REAL caseload midwifery (as opposed to piecmeal or modified
caseload) have the same number of incidences of women who would be
classified as X by Birthrate Plus.
Regards
Di Sandland
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jane sandall" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 11:13 PM
Subject: Re: Birthrate plus
> I think from your responses, that this is a significant issue for both
women
> and labour ward staffing. has anyone come up with any solutions or thought
> why women come in early. has anyone noticed a change in this trend over
the
> last 5 years??
> Jane
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "MAGGIE PRAIN" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 9:32 AM
> Subject: Re: Birthrate plus
>
>
> Dear Jane,
> Birmingham Women's Hospital Trust have 27 per day for category X patients.
> This information from Jane Owen - head of midwifery who has just completed
> the audit for the second time.
> Maggie Prain
>
> Maggie Prain
> Research fellow for nursing and midwifery
> 0121-472-1377 ext 4271
>
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