The Palestinian Midwifery-led Continuity Model's Effect on Mothers' and Babies' Health Outcomes

Background: A midwife-led continuity model of care was implemented in governmental maternal facilities in Palestine. Midwives from the hospitals provided outreaching caseload ante- and postnatal care to women in rural villages clinics and homes. This study investigated if the model had impact on important maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Method: A retrospective cohort design was used. Nablus governmental hospital, Rafidia's medical records were reviewed and data extracted involving 2199 women with singleton pregnancies, residing in rural villages, and their new-born babies born between January 2016 and February 2017. Outcomes were limited to the available information in the hospital's birth registry. Important maternal outcomes were postpartum anaemia (Hb <11), mode of delivery and induction of labour. Important outcomes for new-borns were premature delivery < 37 weeks, birth weight < 2500g and 1500g and referral to neonatal intensive care unit. Outcomes were compared between women receiving the midwife-led continuity model of antenatal care and women receiving regular care.