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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]

Despite the widespread recognition of the benefits of minimal interventions within birth, the number of women having a 'normal birth' is less than half and dissatisfaction is often reported (Department of Health, 2005; Birth Choice UK, 2013). This paper presents how an elective placement in a freestanding birth centre shaped the author's attitude to midwifery. The placement specifically enabled the author to consider what makes birth go well (rather than focusing just on what makes it go 'wrong') and encouraged her to examine the role she might play in contemporary maternity services. This experience was powerful in identifying avenues for personal and professional development, and has enabled the author to clarify her objectives as a midwife and what is needed to achieve them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]