Getting to know your client

Continuity is important in many aspects of life, but particularly during pregnancy and childbirth when a woman is experiencing physical and emotional upheaval. Midwives need to explore the allocation of resources to ensure continuity of care. A caseload system in which a midwife takes on about 36 women a year offers the client continuity and the midwife a satisfying working style which fits in with her own needs. A caseload may include high-risk pregnancies, which may provide the midwife with learning experience. Teaming up with others is the best way to run a caseload, and would leave enough midwives to provide expert staff on labour and postnatal wards.