This multicenter study will provide the first opportunity to compare two clinical obstetric models in Germany, within the broader context.

Over an 18-month period, healthy pregnant women meeting the criteria for inclusion and agreeing to take part in the research will be choosing either the midwife-led care or the standard obstetrician-managed care.

The required data is gathered in writing by the midwife in charge, during and after the birth. Alongside comparison of the medical (outcome) parameters of the two care concepts, the focus is on investigating the results of the midwife care.

By surveying women eight weeks and six months postpartum, the points of view and attitudes of users can be assessed in respect of the care that they received in the care model in question. Furthermore, physical and emotional well-being after birth and breastfeeding behaviour in the first six months of the child’s life, are being recorded.

The findings will provide indications in respect of appropriate treatment options for healthy pregnant women and women in labour. In addition, the focus is placed on the perspective of users of the services and their view of the care they receive during the childbearing process within the two care models. 

 
Principal investigator:
Prof. Dr. Friederike zu Sayn- Wittgenstein
 
Research assistant:
Nicola Bauer, Health-care manager grad. (Dipl. Pflegewirtin (FH)), CM

Student assistants: Eva Cruel, Elisabeth Lather, Sophia Pagenstert, Maike van Eijsden  

Contact: 
University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck
Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences
Postfach 1940
49009 Osnabrück, Germany 
 
Fon: +49 (0)541 969 3682
Fax: +49 (0)541 969 3765
E-Mail: nbauer(at)wi.fh-osnabrueck.de
 

This study is being conducted in cooperation with the Nursing Services Research Network North-Rhine-Westphalia, financed by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research.