Community-based Specialist Obstetric Services

Abstract

The interface between hospital- and community-based care of pregnant women is the meeting point between two professional organisations; the woman is at this interface, and if there is friction, she is the one most likely to be hurt. The framework that is devised to enable the two components of pregnancy care to interact is important but not so important as the people who work within that framework. The doctors, midwives and other professionals who provide pregnancy care are most frequently dedicated, skilful people; often their skills are different and complementary, but unless they know and respect one another, misunderstandings will occur and the best will not be obtained from any system.