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, 2025, Vol 37, No 3 By Alex Smith An increasing number of new mothers begin breastfeeding following a long drawn-out process of induction of labour. Currentl…
AIMS Journal, 2025, Vol 37, No 3 Welcome to the September 2025 issue of the AIMS journal. The theme for this quarter is breastfeeding. An important issue that emerged as…
AIMS Journal, 2025, Vol 37, No 3 Interview by Catharine Hart Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed by AIMS, Kate. I love that this book doesn't try to sound authoritat…
Nine events across the UK and Ireland – all of them free of charge to all practising midwives, academics, allied healthcare professionals and student midwives. The profes…
The National Maternity Safety Conference is back! This year’s event will take place at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham on 25th September 2025 . Building on the success…
AIMS is delighted to be hosting a series of Tools for Change campaigning workshops to be led by Ruth Weston. Ruth's journey of Birth Activism and Maternity Service Campai…
AIMS has written to Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to welcome his announcement of a National Maternity Review, offer our support for the…
Introduction There has long been uncertainty over whether there is any benefit to early induction of labour when a baby is suspected to be ‘big’, known as ‘Large for Gest…
AIMS has written to Professor Mary Renfrew to thank her for taking the lead on reviewing maternity services in Northern Ireland. Her report is the first of its kind to ta…