A systematic review and meta-analysis found that midwifery-led care significantly enhances maternal mental health and obstetric outcomes compared to standard care. The analysis, which included 18 randomized controlled trials with 7,462 women, demonstrated that midwifery-led interventions—such as psychoeducation, counseling, and continuity of care—reduced maternal anxiety, depression, and fear of childbirth. The study reported standardized mean differences (SMDs) showing reductions in anxiety (SMD = -0.51), depression (SMD = -0.61), and fear of childbirth (SMD = -0.77). Additionally, maternal satisfaction and self-efficacy improved (SMD = 0.46).

Obstetric outcomes also benefitted, with lower risks of preterm birth (risk ratio = 0.74) and cesarean sections (risk ratio = 0.81), alongside a modest increase in birth weight. The findings indicate that integrating midwifery-led programs into routine antenatal services could enhance childbirth preparation, reduce intervention rates, and promote positive maternal experiences. This evidence supports midwifery-led care as a safe and effective model for improving perinatal outcomes.