Trial of scar--team midwifery makes a difference

'Once, and certainly twice, a caesar always a caesar.' Where is the evidence to support this often expressed belief? As discussed by Roberts (1991) this is simply an opinion and not based on any form of scientific inquiry. This article describes two women requesting a vaginal delivery, one having had two, and the other, three previous Caesarean Sections. The doctors they had approached were unwilling to support them in their request and they had been told they would be unable to have a vaginal delivery. Both women decided to utilise the hospital's Team Midwifery service for their antenatal and intrapartum care and found the team, together with one of the hospital Registrars, sympathetic to their wishes. Carefully coordinated communication between these groups, and a supportive working relationship, enabled both women to have their vaginal delivery, one of which involved a twin birth. These are the type of services and support that should be available to all women.