The current policy discourses within both countries have now
recognised that a continuation of present trends is neither
sustainable nor supportive of women’s needs. A midwife-led unit
established in China in 2008 has succeeded in great reductions in
caesarean sections and other forms of medical intervention.161–163
The success led to further programatic steps to reintroduce
midwifery by scaling up midwifery-led units in ten hospitals
across the country. China is also reinstating the role of the
midwife and striving to increase graduate numbers.164 In Brazil, a
policy initiative by the Ministry of Health launched in March 2011,
set up the Stork Network strategy, Rede Cegonha.150 The Network
has a set of measures to guarantee all Brazilians in the public
health system appropriate, safe, and humane care from