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 3 By Ryan Jones This is a journal article about trust, and it’s also a journal article about my journey to becoming a volunteer at AIMS. I…
AIMS Journal, 2024, Vol 36, No 3 By Claire Dunn I found myself sitting in the waiting room of a prestigious hospital in West London pondering what lay ahead, for I was on…
AIMS Journal, 2024, Vol 36, No 3 By Alex Smith Welcome to the September 2024 issue of the AIMS journal. The theme for this quarter explores different aspects of trust enc…
AIMS AGM 2024 All members welcome to join us in Birmingham or online - further details to follow in AIMS Members Mailing Please email admin@aims.org.uk if you plan to att…
Join Dr Rebecca Moore for an overview of the kinds of treatments and support available after birth trauma and how to access them. https://traininghub.makebirthbetter.org/…
AIMS has written to Wes Streeting MP, welcoming him to the role of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. We acknowledge his awareness that maternity services are…
This is an edited version of an invited talk given by Jo Dagustun, AIMS Campaigns Team, to the International Labour and Birth Research Conference UK, 24 - 26 April 2023.…
We write this letter in response to the recently published APPG Report on Birth Trauma which can be found here The report was extremely moving and we honour the brave con…