What is Continuity of Care?
“Continuity of care models have less reported rates of birth trauma, obstetric violence and mistreatment, with the lowest reported rates being women who hired a privately practising midwife.”
When you’re choosing who will look after you during pregnancy and birth, you’ll hear the phrase “continuity of care” a lot. It sounds good, but what does it actually mean in practice? And why does it make such a difference to the way families experience pregnancy, birth, and the weeks after?
At MAMA, continuity of care isn’t just a buzzword. It’s at the heart of how we support families — and it shapes everything from your first appointment to your postnatal visits at home.
What continuity of care looks like at MAMA
The World Health Organisation recommends midwifery-led care to improve outcomes for mothers and babies. At MAMA, we offer:
Extended appointments: Our visits are longer than the standard 15 minutes, giving you time to ask questions, share worries, and feel truly listened to.
One point of contact: You’ll have a known midwife (or small team) who knows your story and walks with you through every stage of care.
On-call support: Our triage line means you can call us 24/7 if something comes up, big or small.
Drop-in clinics: Need to be seen between scheduled appointments? You’re welcome to pop in — no rushing, no judgment.
Continuity also means that if things change, you’re not left starting again with a stranger. Your midwife already knows your history, your preferences, and your family.
Why it changes everything
Families often tell us that continuity gave them more than just medical care; it gave them confidence, calm, and trust.
When you know your midwife, you don’t have to retell your story at every visit. You can build a relationship, ask questions freely, and prepare for birth in a way that feels personalised.
Research backs this up too: midwife-led continuity of care is linked with fewer interventions, fewer caesareans, and lower rates of birth trauma. But beyond the statistics, it’s about feeling held and respected throughout the journey.
Continuity in different settings
Continuity doesn’t mean you’re limited to one kind of birth. At MAMA, families choose homebirth, hospital birth, VBAC support, and everything in between. Our midwives collaborate with hospitals and obstetricians when specialist care is needed, so you can have continuity and safety, no matter where you give birth.
Care that extends beyond birth
Continuity doesn’t stop once your baby is born. For many families, the weeks after birth can feel just as overwhelming as pregnancy itself. That’s why our midwives visit daily in the early days, then weekly until six weeks. We check in on feeding, recovery, sleep, and emotional wellbeing — while always recognising that families do the hard work of navigating those early days.
Final word
Continuity of care isn’t about one perfect model or one perfect outcome. It’s about relationships, consistency, and feeling supported. At MAMA, we’re grateful to the families who invite us into their lives at such a profound time. It’s a privilege to walk alongside them.
If you’re looking for care that feels personal, supportive, and truly continuous, our midwives would love to meet you. Book a free discovery call today!
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It means being supported by the same midwife (or small team) throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period — rather than seeing different providers at each visit.
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Research shows it improves outcomes for mothers and babies, and families report feeling more supported, less anxious, and more prepared for birth.
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Yes. At MAMA, we offer continuity whether you plan a hospital birth or homebirth. Your midwife can support you in early labour at home and accompany you to hospital when it’s time.