Deviant mothers and midwives: supporting VBAC with women as real partners in decision making

Helen Shallow MMedSci, PGCEA, RM, RGN, SoM has worked in all areas of midwifery, priding herself on being a flexible, integrated midwife. She gained invaluable clinical and cultural experience working for two years in Botswana. Back in the UK she undertook a Master's degree and then a PGCE. She wanted to better articulate her beliefs and share learning with others. During her tenure as a labour ward co-ordinator she accepted a one year secondment to undertake a birth centre feasibility study after which she secured her first consultant midwife post. Her lead was normal birth and developing evidence-based guidelines. In 2005 she secured a second consultant midwife post and her remit was lead in midwifery-led care and setting up a freestanding birth centre in Huddersfield.