An ethnographic study of womens experience of partnership caseload midwifery practice: the professional as a friend

womenʹs perceptions and experiences were predominantly influenced by the relationships they had with their midwives who they described as ʹfriendsʹ. All other themes were filtered through these relationships, including previous negative experiences of maternity care, the valuing of a known midwife for labour and birth, their positive birth experiences, expressions of delight at their care, their liking of home antenatal care, and the appreciation of their existing children and partners meeting their midwives.