NZ study shows midwife-led births at greater risk than care led by doctors

The study, which investigated over 200,000 births over five years, showed that health outcomes for babies whose care was led by midwives was significantly worse when compared with doctor-led care.

The research, undertaken by the University of Otago in New Zealand, investigated 244,000 births in the country between 2008 to 2012, and revealed an “unexplained excess of adverse events in midwife-led deliveries in New Zealand where midwives practice autonomously.”

The study revealed that mothers who received medical-led care were 55% less likely to have their baby deprived of oxygen during the delivery, the babies were 39% less likely to suffering neonatal encephalopathy (a condition which results in brain injury) and were 48% less likely to have a low Apgar score (indicating an unwell baby).

Ellie Wernham, lead researcher of the study, said “Contributing factors could include high-risk mothers receiving midwife care inappropriately, staffing issues, collaboration issues, the level of training midwives receive and delays in mothers being referred to a medical professional.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

Freephone: 0800 028 2969

For further information, please see our cerebral palsy and birth injury website:

http://www.cerebralpalsyclaimssolicitors.co.uk

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.