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The first two papers in this series described the early development, and ongoing evolution of a caseholding team in the north-west of England (Byrom and Downe, 2007; Fleming and Downe, 2007). We described the outcomes of the scheme and suggested that nine key factors may underpin the success of the project, namely: continuity of carer; visibility in the community; multi-agency involvement; inter-disciplinary collaboration; leadership; strategic partnership; ability to be innovative and flexible; involvement of local community and individuals; and shared group philosophy. Based on principles of service user involvement it was agreed that the ongoing monitoring of the project would include an invitation to all those using the service to write their birth story to summarize their experiences with the scheme. This paper presents a selection of these stories as a reflection on the processes and outcomes of the scheme. The stories indicate that the benefits of the scheme are evident for both the women using the service, and the midwives providing it. They also illustrate many of the nine core factors for success identified in our previous paper. Specifically, the scheme offers the opportunity for women at high clinical and socio-demographic risk to experience positive childbirth experiences. It also offers the opportunity for midwives to exercise their skills in normalizing birth in complex situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faecal Incontinence is the involuntary loss of faeces. This can affect up to 4% of primiparous women long term after delivery. Anal Incontinence generally refers to involuntary loss of faeces and/or gas (Brubaker, 2001) and is more common, affecting up to 26% of primiparous women long term after delivery (Zetterstrom et al, 1999a). Research into pre-existing, demographic, behavioural and obstetric factors, which increase the risk of developing anal incontinence, remains inadequate in several areas. Data from different studies is often conflicting due to inconsistency in definitions, study design and population variables. This paper reviews the evidence associated with several obstetric and non-obstetric risk factors, for the development of postnatal anal incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]