Choice, Informed Consent and Risk-Managing Women’s Care Choices in the Absence of Midwifery Supervision: The Birth Choice Clinic

Women with ‘low-risk’ pregnancies are largely encouraged through research and national policy to
deliver in midwifery-led units or at home; however, the majority continue to attend consultant-led
hospital settings. Much research exists to support midwives in facilitating informed choice but it has
been identified that midwives are often influenced by internal and external factors when providing
this and that time constraints can hinder the process. Supervisors of midwives (SoM) provide a
complex care planning service to women. However, with SoM removed from statute and the new
Advocating for Education and Quality Improvement (A-EQUIP) model not yet widely operational,
a ‘gap’ area has been identified as a potential concern. This ‘gap’ is complex care planning with
women. In response to national changes, an alternative approach at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS
Foundations Trust to SoM providing complex care planning is the Birth Choice Clinic.