Exploring midwifery role and scope in acute early pregnancy care: a survey of midwives and midwifery students in Australia

Participants supported midwives providing acute care in early pregnancy, confirming that midwives' professional scope should not be impacted by pregnancy gestation or outcome. However, current midwifery education programs may not be adequately preparing midwives to provide comprehensive care for women with acute early pregnancy complications. Those midwives who are providing care may not be fulfilling professional scope. Findings have utility in supporting policy, education and service review, and highlight further gaps in evidence for future research.