PURPOSE:
The purpose of this presentation is to address opportunities to strengthen midwifery-centered data collection and analysis that can protect and promote the midwifery model of care and improve maternal health.

DISCUSSION:
In the United States, only ~14% of all births are attended by midwives. Yet, midwifery care is associated with significantly improved clinical outcomes and patient experiences, compared to national maternal morbidity and mortality benchmarks of the physician-dominant perinatal health model. Standard electronic health record (EHR) data do not typically collect midwifery practice, social determinants of health and patient-reported experience data that can further elucidate the effects of midwifery care on maternal health outcomes. Two examples demonstrate improved midwifery data collection, providing the ability to more rigorously evaluate midwifery care outcomes. These examples are the EHR partnership between hospital-based midwifery groups at Oregon Health and Science University and the University of Michigan, and the comprehensive state-wide data systems used in Washington State: Obstetrical Care Outcome Assessment Program (OBCOAP), Smooth Transitions, and the Community Birth Data Registry (CBDR). Capturing data relevant to midwifery practice is critical to improving our understanding of how the midwifery model of care improves maternal health.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Erickson et al. (2021). Induction of labor or expectant management? Birth outcomes for nulliparous individuals choosing midwifery care. Birth, 48(4), 501–513.Kanjanakaew et al. (2024). Examining cesarean among individuals of advanced maternal age in nurse‐midwifery care. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 69(5), 735–745.Hays et al. (2022). Smooth transitions: Enhancing interprofessional collaboration when planned community births transfer to hospital care. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 67(6),701-706.

KEY MESSAGE:
Building midwifery-centered data systems is a much-needed opportunity to protect and promote the midwifery model of care around the globe. Workforce - sustainability 1 (including three-minute presentation competition)