-Short Communication-

Referrals during Labor in Midwifery Care

Shunji Suzuki, Misao Satomi and Hidehiko Miyake

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital, Tokyo

In 2008, 84% (459) of 548 women with pregnancies initially considered "low risk" requested to give birth under midwifery care at Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital. Of these, 42% (191) were referred to obstetric care during labor at term; however, we found no evidence that midwifery primary obstetric care is less safe for women with "low-risk" pregnancy than is standard obstetric care. Therefore, we recommend that midwifery care be promoted with an international collaborative effort.

J Nippon Med Sch 2009; 76: 226-228

Keywords
maternity care, midwife, obstetric care, referral

Correspondence to
Shunji Suzuki, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital, 5-11-12 Tateishi, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 124-0012, Japan
czg83542@mopera.ne.jp

Received, June 17, 2009
Accepted, July 7, 2009