Midwifery care could have a positive impact on the reduction of perinatal and neonatal mortality in ethnic minority groups. Midwives have several important roles to play in this area: health promotion and education identifying those women at risk improving access, uptake and quality of maternity care. To be effective, midwives must: have knowledge and understanding of clients' cultures that can be put to good use during their care; examine their attitudes towards women from black and ethnic minority populations and ensure that these do not contribute towards adverse pregnancy outcomes; embrace the social and psychological aspects of care and unify it with the medical approach.

PMID: 7749779 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]