Women's Decision-Making And Factors Affecting Their Choice Of ...

them revealed the following elements, which greatly influenced the committee's
recommendations:
• Need for continuity of care
The Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (AIMS) drew out
the importance women place in the continuity of the carer to the attention of the
committee. It cited the Know Your Midwife Scheme, Effective care in Pregnancy
and Childbirth, and a survey in Lothian Maternity Services which all attest to the
importance women place upon continuity of carer (para 43). It was evident that
women wanted continuity of care and carer at all stages of pregnancy and
childbirth. The majority considered midwives as the group best placed and
equipped to provide this.
• Desire for women to have more choice
Maternity Alliance stated during its submissions that every woman should
have the opportunity to choose the place of birth and person to care for her. This
was in line with the government's position that women should, as far as
practicable, be able to choose and have access to the type of care which they feel
is best suited to their needs.
The evidence the Committee received from both women and the
organisations representing them was that the available choices were often more
illusory than real. The Committee, therefore, concluded that there was
widespread demand among women for greater choice in the type of maternity care
they receive, and that the present structure of maternity services frustrates, rather
than facilitates, those who wish to exercise their choice.
• The right for women to have control over their own body at all stages of
pregnancy and birth.
21