Cystic fibrosis and caseload midwifery

Abstract

Midwives must provide woman-centred, holistic care for the diverse UK childbearing population. As the NHS moves to adopt the recommendations made in the ‘Better Births’ report, is there an argument to invest in protected caseload midwifery contacts for women with cystic fibrosis? Caseload midwifery refers to a continuity model where a small team of midwives provide care throughout the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal continuum. Cystic fibrosis affects multiple organ systems and requires specialist medical management during pregnancy. Living with cystic fibrosis has many psychosocial implications and pregnancy presents additional challenges. Health and wellbeing outcomes are improved when individuals are treated holistically in the non-pregnant population; therefore, during pregnancy, birth and postnatally, caseload midwifery may provide a legitimate intervention to improve health outcomes in pregnant women with cystic fibrosis.