Editorial
Avril Nicoll express her renewed hope for the Birth Centre movement
Seeing the opportunities
Three years on from the publication of her book 'Birth Centres: A Social Model for Maternity Care' AIMS asked Mavis Kirkham what she would do differently with the book if she were putting it together now...
On the campaign trail
Free-standing birth centres seem reliant on campaigns, both to start them up and to keep them going. AIMS talks to a number of activists to find out what drives them and, most importantly, what works.
Around the UK and Ireland
Report of the current situation with birth centre in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Holding up a mirror: the impact of user involvement
While user involvement is enshrined in government policy across the UK, its patchy practice reflects the anxiety many professionals feel about the process. But here Phyllis Winters, midwifery team leader at Montrose Community Maternity Unit, explains how real user involvement can be a transforming experience for midwives, women and birth centres.
Everything I'd hoped for
In spite of a difficult first birth, Caroline Rosen chose to have her second son at Aboyne Community Maternity Unit. She explained why at a seminar organised by the Save Aboyne Maternity campaign.
Birthing Utopia
The past 18 months have been difficult for many free-standing birth centres and their supporters. In spite of this Avril Nicoll sees signs that a free-standing birth centre Utopia is within our grasp - and that it will make a real difference.
Focusing In
Looking at free-standing birth centres around the UK; Brent, Caerphilly, Dover, Lichfield, Perth, Powys and Chorley
Research:
AIMS asks Denis Walsh what papers he considers are essential reading for people who want to be informed about free-standing birth centres.
AIMS Journal, 2024, Vol 36, No 1 By Elle Gundry The first parliamentary debate on birth trauma took place in the House of Commons on Thursday 19th October 2023. [1] Thank…
AIMS Journal, 2024, Vol 36, No 1 By Anne Glover I work with women from all walks of life, but one thing that is important to them all, is having a positive and satisfying…
AIMS Journal, 2024, Vol 36, No 1 Editor’s note: In this quite shocking account of disrespect and neglect, Grace describes the arrival of her first baby. With Grace’s perm…
Join us for an interactive online AIMS workshop: " The Foundation Stones for Supporting the Physiological Process in Pregnancy and Birth ". In this workshop discussion we…
"The Maternity and Midwifery Festivals are back face to face and we’re looking forward to meeting you in 2024. Nine events across the UK and Ireland – all of them free of…
AIMS is proud to be supporting the RCM's Research Prioritisation project as a Project Partner and with one of our volunteers on the Steering Group www.rcm.org.uk/promotin…
Introduction to AIMS and why AIMS is making a submission Since 1960, AIMS has been the leading advocate for improvements in UK maternity care. We have national and intern…
AIMS Campaigns Team volunteers are presenting a poster about our campaign for Physiology-Informed Maternity Services at the 2023 conference of the British Intrapartum Car…