The midwife factor in obstetric procedures and neonatal outcome

Aims. In the face of major tendency towards midwiferyled-care it
was our purpose to investigate the extent of the influence of the
midwife on the rates of obstetric procedures and perinatal outcome.
Methods. 5384 consecutive deliveries at the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology. University of Graz, were enrolled in the
study. The following data were collected: mode of delivery, pH of
umbilical artery, Apgar score. Firstly, data were investigated for
interindividual differences and, secondly, for relationship with
age of the midwife as a measure of experience. Results.
Interindividual differences were significant for episiotomy rates
(minimum: 31.6%; maximum 76.9%; p