Looking for resources?

See below for an extensive but not exhaustive list of online resources including podcasts, research papers, blogs, websites and support group pages on Facebook for pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

If you are pregnant, remember to be aware of how you are consuming information. Is the information making you more empowered and confident? Is it causing you to be more scared and fearful? Have a research buddy that you can bounce ideas and information with. And remember, you know more than you think you do.

Remember, ask your trusted family and friends for their knowledges of birth, do you have cultural practises to tap into? ask your midwife for resources tailored just for you.

See below a list of research papers, websites and blogs.

RESEARCH

midwife-led continuity of care

Why is this considered the gold standard? Why are mothers and babies happier and healthier when they birth through this model? When 1 in 3 women come out of birth with birth-related trauma we look to the best way to support mothers and babies now and in the future.

Midwife-led continuity of care models is when the same midwife supports a mum or birthing parent through pregnancy, birth and post-partum. The recent NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry Report heard this recommended by mothers who didnt have access to this care in their first birth but once they had access through a hospital system called MGP or a private practising homebirth midwife, they felt empowered and healed.

Why is support by a known midwife beneficial?

1. Emotional Protection for Women with Perinatal Mental Health Conditions

A 2025 Australian study found that continuity of midwifery care provides emotional protection for women with perinatal mental health issues. Women reported feeling more supported and experienced improved well-being when cared for by a known midwife throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Read the full study here.

2. Positive Experiences in Culturally Tailored Caseload Midwifery Models

Research published in the Lowitja Journal highlighted that Aboriginal women participating in culturally tailored caseload midwifery models reported very positive experiences. Key factors included strong relationships with their midwives, trust in the care provided, and acknowledgment of their cultural identity. Read the full study here.

3. Women's Experiences Planning a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)

Led by Hazel Keedle, this research focused on women's experiences when planning a VBAC within different maternity care models. The study found that women receiving continuity of care felt more supported and experienced higher autonomy compared to those in fragmented care models. Read the full study here.

4. Midwife-Led Continuity Models vs. Other Models of Care for Childbearing Women

Midwife-led continuity models are associated with beneficial maternal and neonatal outcomes and are recommended for most women, barring those with substantial medical or obstetric complications. Read the full study here.

5. The Cochrane Review into Caseload Midwifery

Looking after the health and well-being of women and babies during pregnancy, birth and afterwards – are called ‘models of care’. One of the models is called ‘the midwife-led continuity model’ where the midwife is the lead health professional starting from the first appointment, up to and including the early days of parenting. This review suggests that women who received midwife-led continuity models of care were less likely to experience intervention and more likely to be satisfied with their care with at least comparable adverse outcomes for women or their infants than women who received other models of care. Read the full review here.

6. The M@NGO Trial

A randomised controlled trial of caseload midwifery care: M@NGO (Midwives @ New Group practice Options). Models of midwifery have proliferated in an attempt to offer women less fragmented hospital care. Caseload midwives manage the care of approximately 35-40 a year within a small Midwifery Group Practice. The trial compares the outcomes and costs of caseload midwifery care compared to standard or routine hospital care through a randomised controlled trial. Read the full study here.

 

Planned homebirth

Homebirth NSW Research Directory - An excellent place to look for studies and research pieces providing evidence, statistics on homebirth.

Released in June 2020, the findings from the national survey - “Why do women choose homebirth in Australia?

The most recent research on homebirth (Reitsma et al., 2020) looked at 16 studies provided data from around 500,000 intended home births. The study compares the occurrence of birth interventions and maternal outcomes among low-risk women who begin labour intending to birth at home compared to women intending to birth in hospital.

Planned Birth at Home Australian College of Midwives Position Statement - The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) supports the choice of planned, midwife-attended birth at home as a safe option for women with uncomplicated pregnancies

 

Preventing birth trauma

The Australian Birth Experience Study (BESt) is a national survey spanning 2016-2021, looking at the perspectives of Australian women and birthing individuals on their pregnancy, birth, and postnatal experiences. Key findings show that over 85% wanted different choices after their first birth, emphasising the importance of being better informed, self-advocacy, and continuity of care with a known midwife.

The preferred mode of birth was intervention-free, spontaneous, vaginal birth. However, barriers to accessing desired birth experiences were highlighted, and 33% of respondents reported traumatic birth experiences. One study limitation was the underrepresentation of First Nations and migrant individuals compared to the general population.

 

Our work is conducted on what always was and always will be Aboriginal land — the Countries of the Wodi Wodi, Wandi Wandandian, Dharawal, Yuin of the Yuin Nation. Our work is committed to justice for all people including the sovereignty of First Nations people, knowledge systems and practices. In our work, we commit to reverence, healing, respect, responsibility and reciprocity with all beings, the land, sky, seas and waterways and pay our deepest respect to Elders past, present and emerging.