The evidence is that [midwife-led care is] the safest isn’t it! There is lots of evidence it’s good, so I am happy to go with that. And the midwife unit in [town] […] it’s lovely […] and quite a small unit and very friendly and that was another reason why I wanted to be there. […] If you are a green pathway low risk labour the birthing pools are brilliant it really worked well for me.
Not all participants interpreted safety in terms of services and health care professionals available in a particular location. One woman interpreted safety as a feeling that came from the people who were there to support women during labour: