Japan Academy of Midwifery: 2012 evidence-based guidelines for midwifery care during childbirth

The Japan Academy of Midwifery has developed the Evidence-Based Care During Childbirth Guideline for Midwives (2012 edition) containing care policies for healthy low risk women and newborns. In order to disseminate the guideline, contents of the guideline are introduced for midwives through the current paper. A total of twenty nine clinical questions were included in the guideline. For each clinical question, evidence statement, its explanations and references were prepared. Evidence-based and women-centered care would be promoted if midwives adopt care policy in the guideline at hospitals, clinics and independent midwives. Key word: midwifery, guidelines, care policy, childbirth