what we do

Choosing your birth caregivers and the model of birth most suited to your needs can be daunting but is arguably one of the most important life decisions you will make.

We’re here to support you in that process by providing you with information about the care offered by independent midwives. Our national Find a Midwife search puts you in touch with your closest independent midwife, wherever you are in the UK.

Get the answers you need

In our FAQ section, you’ll find the answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about independent midwifery care and by reading the Birth Stories of those who’ve chosen this type of care for themselves, we hope you’ll have a better understanding of what it is that an independent midwife can offer you and defines the care provided by our members.

Giving mothers a voice

We are active on your behalf politically too. Worldwide, there is a palpable threat to midwifery and midwives in their freedom to provide midwifery services and midwifery models of care. This is despite the acknowledgment that this care leads to better outcomes for most women. IMUK is a force for change and we work to safeguard independent midwifery and the full range of birthing options for women and their families now and in the future. Please Join Us to support our work.

the benefits of an independent midwife

The benefits of a known and trusted midwife throughout pregnancy and birth (continuity of care) are well known and widely documented. This type of care best helps women to cope with the challenges of labour and the transition to parenthood and leads to better birth outcomes.

“The care of an experienced and professional midwife, who needed no birth plan because she became a friend who knew what we wanted, was priceless.”

Helen

An independent midwife is on call for the women she cares for 24/7, from the beginning of pregnancy until (typically) 4 weeks after their birth offering evidence-based, individualised care throughout. Antenatal appointments usually take place in a woman’s own home, are unhurried and allow for all aspects of physical and emotional wellbeing to be supported.

Although there can be no guarantees in birth, choosing an independent midwife as your caregiver does increase your chances of a ‘normal’ physiological birth and independent midwives have become very experienced in areas of childbirth that within the NHS are usually dealt with by obstetric management including Breech, Twins and Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC).