Women and Birth is the official journal of the Australian College of Midwives (http://www.midwives.org.au/). It is a midwifery journal that publishes on all matters relating to pregnancy, birth, and the first six weeks post-partum. All papers must draw from, and contribute to, the relevant contemporary research, policy and/or theoretical literature. We focus on primary research papers, systematic reviews and research-informed and critiqued discussion papers. While we are based in Australia, our Editorial Board is multi-national and we welcome papers from all over the world. All papers should reflect our global perspective and reach. Articles are double blind peer-reviewed by experts in the field of the submitted work.Our woman-centred focus is inclusive of the partner, wider family, fetus and newborn, and covers both healthy and complex pregnancies and births.