Midwife-led antenatal support improved mental health scores in a trial review
Midwife-led programs improved anxiety and depression scores versus routine care. Birth outcomes were also assessed, but the birthweight result remained uncertain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across randomized trials, midwife-led support during pregnancy improved anxiety, depression and fear-of-childbirth scores compared with standard or routine care. The review also reported lower risks of preterm birth and cesarean delivery. These findings span several care models, so they do not identify which specific program component produced the benefits.
The abstract omits individual program estimates and follow-up schedules. It cannot establish which approach works best, how long psychological changes last, or the absolute differences in birth outcomes.
What researchers found
Maternal anxiety: midwife-led support versus standard or routine care
The pooled difference was -0.51 standard deviations, using score variability rather than raw points or percentages. Negative values favor midwife-led support. Assessment timing was not reported.
Several care models
Programs included psychoeducation, counselling, mindfulness, continuity of care and group prenatal care. Combining these approaches in a pooled analysis does not reveal which individual component contributed to better psychological outcomes.
Uncertainty about birthweight
The review reported lower risks of preterm birth and cesarean delivery. Although the birthweight estimate favored an increase, its confidence interval included no difference, leaving a birthweight benefit uncertain.
The original publication
Effect of antenatal education and midwifery-led care on maternal anxiety, depression, and birth outcomes: A meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Xu Y, Han Y, Wang L et al.
Women Birth · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41344307
- Record checked
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