This review has been withdrawn because it has been updated by the new review published in Issue 4, 2008 of Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews by Hatem M, Hodnett ED, Devane D, Fraser WD, Sandall J, Soltani H, entitled 'Midwife‐led versus other models of care for childbearing women'.

The editorial group responsible for this previously published document have withdrawn it from publication.