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Professor Christine McCourt

Professor of Maternal and Child Health

School of Health Sciences Division of Midwifery and Radiography

Contact details

Address

Professor Christine McCourt M106, Myddelton Street Building
City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

About

Overview

Christine is Professor of Maternal and Child Health, School of Health Sciences, where she is research lead for the Centre for Research in Maternal and Child Health. She teaches at Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral level as well as conducting and supporting a range of research projects. Her key interests are in maternity and women's health, with particular interests in institutions and service change and reform, on women's experiences of childbirth and maternity care and in the culture and organisation of maternity care. She has worked over a number of years on applying anthropological theory and methodology to studying 'western' healthcare and she is also the managing editor of the international journal on applied anthropology, Anthropology in Action.

Christine initially worked and studied at the London School of Economics where her degree and PhD were in anthropology. Her key interest at doctoral level was in applying anthropological theory and methodology to studying 'western' healthcare. After working at Brunel University and then as a senior researcher for Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, she moved to Thames Valley University where was Professor of Anthropology and Health and Head of the Centre for Research in Midwifery and Childbirth. She joined City University's School of Health Sciences in 2010. Her main area of work has been on maternity and women's health, with particular interests in institutions and service change and reform, on women's experiences of childbirth and maternity care and in the culture and organisation of maternity care.

Qualifications

  1. PhD, London School of Economics, United Kingdom, 1986 – 1990
  2. BA, 1st Class, London School of Economics, United Kingdom, 1980 – 1983

Administrative role

  1. Centre Lead,, Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, Sep 2018 – present

Employment

  1. Professor of Maternal and Child Health, City, University London, 2010 – present

Memberships of professional organisations

  1. Association of Social Anthropologists; Royal Anthropological Institute

Expertise

Geographic Areas

  • Africa
  • Americas - Latin
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East

Teaching

Courses taught on

- Masters in Midwifery
- PgDip in Midwifery
- BSc in Midwifery, Health  and Society
- Masters in Public Health

Research

Research overview

- Ethnographic methodology
- Research on institutions and institutional change
- Maternal and infant health
- Health Professions and Professionalisation
- Access to health care
- Rural and remote access to care
- Ethnicity and health
- Place of Birth
- Users' experiences of healthcare
- Professionals' experiences of healthcare work

Research areas

Application of anthropological theory and methodology to studying 'western' healthcare ; Maternal and child health; Health policy; Institutions and service change and reform; Women's experiences of childbirth and maternity care; Culture and organisation of maternity care; Concepts of quality and safety, cultural safety and experiences of minority ethnic groups.

Completed research

Infant Feeding in Tower Hamlets Project (FIT study) Tower Hamlets Public Health.

An Organisational Study of Alongside-Midwife-Units, NIHR HS&DR Programme. Principal Investigator.

Birthplace in England Research Programme. DH Policy Research Programme and NIHR HS&DR Programme. Co-investigator.

Evaluation of the Scottish Government's KCND initiative. Chief Scientist Office for Scotland. Project advisor.

Pilot study of home blood pressure monitoring in pregnancy. National School of Primary Care Research. Co-investigator.

Field Testing and pilot studies of the KBN (Keeping Birth Normal) project. Barts and the London Charity and NIHR CLRN.

Initial and follow-up evaluations of One-to-One Midwifery: major research programme including economic study, clinical study, ethnographic study of professionals, study of women's responses to care, in-depth qualitative analysis of the experiences of minority ethnic women and observation study of midwife/client interaction. Project management and co-ordination, lead researcher on study of women's responses to care, study of communication and supervisor for doctoral study of professional responses. Funded by DoH/Johson & Johnson Foundation, EHH Health Authority, Smith and Nephew Fellowship & HAS Charitable Trust (for PhD student). 1994-1998.

Evaluation of the implementation of the Baby Friendly Initiative and support for breastfeeding mothers. Funded by DoH Infant Feeding Initiative.

Exploratory study of women's and professionals' awareness, experience and attitudes towards water-birth and towards participation in a possible clinical trial. No external funding.

Establishing priorities in primary and maternity care. Funded by NHSE London.; Evaluation of a 'virtual' decision making process for research and development commissioning. Funded by NHSE London.

Alternative Labour Pain Strategies (Feasibility Study and Pilot RCT). Funded by Oxfordshire Health Services Research Committee & Sir Halley Stewart Trust.

Evaluation of Midwifery Group Practice in a multi-ethnic area. Funded by WeLReN.

Evaluation of Midwifery Group Practice in a multi-ethnic area. Save the Baby Fund 2005-6.

Research centres

- Centre for Research in Maternal and Child Health

Principal collaborators

- Professor Jane Sandall, Kings College London
- Dr Jennifer Hollowell, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit
- Professor Helen Cheyne, NMAHP research unit, University of Stirling
- Professor Peter Brocklehurst, University College London

Fellows

- Dr. Juliet Rayment
- Dr. Camilla Schneck, Leverhulme visiting fellow, University Sao Paolo, Brazil

Research students

1st supervisor

Cassandra Yuill

Attendance: Oct 2016 – present, full-time

Thesis title: Places of birth: a study of information, choice and outcomes in a maternity context

Role: 1st Supervisor

Florence Darling

Attendance: Oct 2016 – present, full-time

Thesis title: To what extent do healthcare professionals in obstetric-led units use evidenced-informed skills as intended to reduce unnecessary interventions in the intrapartum care of low risk women and what influences their practice?

Role: 1st Supervisor

Giordana Pinheiro Da Motta

Attendance: Feb 2015 – present, full-time

Thesis title: Development of a strategy to provide postnatal care in a group-based model for implementation in socially disadvantaged communities

Role: 1st Supervisor

Susan Bradley

Attendance: Oct 2014 – present, full-time

Thesis title: Midwives’ perspectives on the practice, impact and challenges of delivering respectful obstetric care in Malawi

Role: 1st Supervisor

Sarah Bekaert

Thesis title: Teenage parenthood shortly after termination of pregnancy

Further information: Advisor

Agatha Bula

Thesis title: Supporting exclusive breastfeeding amongst HIV positive women in Malawi

Ghada Ibrahim

Thesis title: Maternity morbidity and access to maternity care in Sudan

Roa Altaweli

Thesis title: Exploration of factors influencing evidence-based practice in the second stage of labour in Saudi Arabia.

Jackie Baxter

Thesis title: Improving the quality of postnatal care in the UK

Gayle Clifford

Thesis title: Mothers with HIV in Jamaica and the issue of disclosure to their HIV negative children

Zahra Ghaffari

Thesis title: Socially disadvantaged women's access to choice of place of birth. External supervisor

Role: 1st Supervisor

Louise Hunter

Thesis title: Designing and testing an intervention to support adolescent mothers breastfeeding

Further information: External Supervisor

Claudia Oblasser

Thesis title: Vaginal cones or balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance and urinary continence in women post partum: A pilot randomised controlled trial

Further information: Claudia Oblasser

Susan Bradley

Thesis title: Midwives' perspectives on the practice, impact and challenges of delivering respectful obstetric care in Malawi

Giordana Da Motta

Thesis title: Learning strategies to improve access to and experience of antenatal and postpartum care for implementation in socially disadvantaged communities

Lucia Rocca

Thesis title: The Barkantine Birth Centre: an ethnographic study

Publications

Featured publications

  1. Rowe, R.E., Townend, J., Brocklehurst, P., Knight, M., Macfarlane, A., McCourt, C. … Hollowell, J. (2013). Duration and urgency of transfer in births planned at home and in freestanding midwifery units in England: Secondary analysis of the birthplace national prospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-13-224.
  2. Rance, S., McCourt, C., Rayment, J., Mackintosh, N., Carter, W., Watson, K. … Sandall, J. (2013). Women's safety alerts in maternity care: is speaking up enough? BMJ Quality and Safety. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2012-001295.
  3. McCourt, C., Rayment, J., Rance, S. and Sandall, J. (2012). Organisational strategies and midwives' readiness to provide care for out of hospital births: An analysis from the Birthplace organisational case studies. Midwifery, 28(5), pp. 636–645.
  4. Schmied, V., Beake, S., Sheehan, A., McCourt, C. and Dykes, F. (2011). Women's Perceptions and Experiences of Breastfeeding Support: A Metasynthesis. Birth, 38(1), pp. 49–60. doi:10.1111/j.1523-536X.2010.00446.x.
  5. Brocklehurst, P., Puddicombe, D., Hollowell, J., Stewart, M., Linsell, L., Macfarlane, A.J. … McCourt, C. (2011). Perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth for healthy women with low risk pregnancies: the Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study. British Medical Journal, 343. doi:10.1136/bmj.d7400.

Publications by category

Book

  1. McCourt, C. (Ed.), (2009). Childbirth, Midwifery and Concepts of Time. Oxford: Berghahn Books.

Chapters (7)

  1. McCourt, C. (2010). How Midwives Should Organise to Provide Intrapartum Care. In Walsh, D. and Downe, S. (Eds.), Essential Midwifery in Practice: Intrapartum Care (pp. 253–274).
  2. McCourt, C. and Hashimoto, N. (2009). From 'to learn' to 'to know': women's embodied knowledge of breastfeeding in Japan. In Dykes, F. and Hall-Moran, V. (Eds.), Infant and Young Child Feeding: Challenges to implementing a global strategy Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
  3. McCourt, C. (2009). Social Support and Childbirth. In Squire, C. (Ed.), The Social Context of Birth Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press.
  4. McCourt, C. and Bastos, M.H. (2009). Morbidity during the postnatal period: Impact on women and society. In Byrom, S., Edwards, G. and Bick, D. (Eds.), Essential Midwifery Practice: Postnatal Care
  5. McCourt, C. and Stevens, T. (2008). Relationship and Reciprocity in Caseload Midwifery. In Deery, R. and Hunter, B. (Eds.), Emotional work in midwifery and reproduction Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  6. McCourt, C. and Downe, S. (2008). From being to becoming: reconstructing childbirth knowledges. In Downe, S. (Ed.), Normal Birth: evidence and debate. Oxford: Elsevier.
  7. McCourt, C., Stevens, T., Sandall, J. and Brodie, P. (2006). McCourt C, Stevens T, Sandall J & Brodie P. Working with women: developing continuity of care in practice. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2006. p. 141-165. In Page, L. and McCandlish, R. (Eds.), The New Midwifery: Science and Sensitivity in Practice. (pp. 141–165). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Conference papers and proceedings (3)

  1. Darling, F., McCourt, C. and Cartwright, M. (2019). A systematic review and synthesis of facilitators and barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practices to support physiological labour and birth in obstetric settings.
  2. Coates, R., Cupples, G., Scamell, A. and McCourt, C. (2019). Decision-making, care and emotion in a randomized controlled trial of two methods of outpatient induction of labour.
  3. Goncalves, A.S., Ferreira, I.M., Prata, A.P., McCourt, C. and de Campos, A.C. (2019). Mapping antenatal care policy for low-risk pregnant women in Portugal and comparable countries: A scoping review.

Journal articles (116)

  1. Coates, R., Cupples, G., Scamell, A. and McCourt, C. (2021). Re: BJOG Debate. Induction of labour should be offered to all women at term. FOR: Induction of labour should be offered at term. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 128(5), p. 935. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16628.
  2. Hinton, L., Hodgkinson, J., Tucker, K.L., Rozmovits, L., Chappell, L., Greenfield, S. … McManus, R.J. (2020). Exploring the potential for introducing home monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy into maternity care: current views and experiences of staff—a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 10(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037874.
  3. Wiggins, M., Sawtell, M., Wiseman, O., McCourt, C., Eldridge, S., Hunter, R. … Harden, A. (2020). Group antenatal care (Pregnancy Circles) for diverse and disadvantaged women: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial with integral process and economic evaluations. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-020-05751-z.
  4. Craig, G.M., Hajdukova, E.B., Harding, C., Flood, C., McCourt, C., Sellers, D. … Gill, A. (2020). Psychosocial support for families of children with neurodisability who have or are considering a gastrostomy: the G-PATH mixed-methods study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 8(38), pp. 1–126. doi:10.3310/hsdr08380.
  5. Bhide, A., Sedgwick, P., Barrett, B., Cupples, G., Coates, R., Goode, R. … McCourt, C. (2020). Prostaglandin insert dinoprostone versus trans-cervical balloon catheter for outpatient labour induction: A randomised controlled trial of feasibility (PROBIT-F). Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 6(1). doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00661-7.
  6. Rayment, J., Rocca-Ihenacho, L., Newburn, M., Thaels, E., Batinelli, L. and Mcourt, C. (2020). The development of midwifery unit standards for Europe. Midwifery, 86. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2020.102661.
  7. Goncalves, A.S., Ferreira, I.M., Pestana-Santos, M., Prata, A.P. and McCourt, C. (2020). Antenatal care policies for low-risk pregnant women in high-income countries with a universal health system: a scoping review protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 18(7), pp. 1537–1545. doi:10.11124/jbisrir-d-19-00197.
  8. Yuill, C., McCourt, C. and Rocca-Ihenacho, L. (2020). Pop-up’ birth centers? Considering COVID-19 responses and place of birth in England. Medical Anthropology Quarterly, June(2020).
  9. Yuill, C., McCourt, C., Cheyne, H. and Leister, N. (2020). Women's experiences of decision-making and informed choice about pregnancy and birth care: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1). doi:10.1186/s12884-020-03023-6.
  10. Walsh, D., Spiby, H., McCourt, C., Coleby, D., Grigg, C., Bishop, S. … Thornton, J. (2020). Factors influencing utilisation of ‘free-standing’ and ‘alongside’ midwifery units for low-risk births in England: a mixed-methods study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 8(12). doi:10.3310/hsdr08120.
  11. Rayment, J., McCourt, C., Scanlon, M., Culley, L., Spiby, H., Bishop, S. … de Lima, L.A. (2020). An analysis of media reporting on the closure of freestanding midwifery units in England. Women and Birth, 33(1). doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2018.12.012.
  12. Walsh, D., Spiby, H., McCourt, C., Grigg, C., Coleby, D., Bishop, S. … Thornton, J. (2020). Factors influencing the utilisation of free-standing and alongside midwifery units in England: a qualitative research study. BMJ Open, 10(2). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033895.
  13. Dougall, G., Franssen, M., Tucker, K.L., Yu, L.-.M., Hinton, L., Rivero-Arias, O. … McManus, R.J. (2020). Blood pressure monitoring in high-risk pregnancy to improve the detection and monitoring of hypertension (the BUMP 1 and 2 trials): protocol for two linked randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open, 10(1). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034593.
  14. Diniz, C.S.G., Bussadori, J.C.D.C., Lemes, L.B., Moisés, E.C.D., Prado, C.A.D.C. and McCourt, C. (2020). A change laboratory for maternity care in Brazil: Pilot implementation of Mother Baby Friendly Birthing Initiative. Medical Teacher pp. 1–8. doi:10.1080/0142159X.2020.1791319.
  15. Coates, R., Cupples, G., Scamell, A., McCourt, C. and Bhide, A. (2020). Women's experiences of outpatient induction of labour with double balloon catheter or prostaglandin pessary: A qualitative study. Women and Birth. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2020.07.006.
  16. Rocca-Ihenacho, L., Yuill, C. and McCourt, C. (2020). Relationships and trust: Two key pillars of a well-functioning freestanding midwifery unit. Birth. doi:10.1111/birt.12521.
  17. Band, R., Hinton, L., Tucker, K.L., Chappell, L.C., Crawford, C., Franssen, M. … Yardley, L. (2019). Intervention planning and modification of the BUMP intervention: a digital intervention for the early detection of raised blood pressure in pregnancy. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 5(1). doi:10.1186/s40814-019-0537-z.
  18. Rayment, J., Rance, S., McCourt, C. and Sandall CBE RM, J. (2019). Barriers to women's access to alongside midwifery units in England. Midwifery, 77, pp. 78–85. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2019.06.010.
  19. Velho, M.B., Brüggemann, O.M., McCourt, C., Freitas, P.F., da Gama, S.G.N., Costa, R. … d'Orsi, E. (2019). PREVALENCE OF SPONTANEOUS, INDUCED LABOUR OR PLANNED CAESAREAN SECTION AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CAESAREAN SECTION IN LOW-RISK WOMEN IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL. Midwifery pp. 102530–102530. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2019.102530.
  20. Hunter, L., Da Motta, G., McCourt, C., Wiseman, O., Rayment, J., Haora, P. … Harden, A. (2019). Better together: a qualitative exploration of women’s perceptions and experiences of group antenatal care. Women and Birth, 32(4), pp. 336–345. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2018.09.001.
  21. Bradley, S., McCourt, C., Rayment, J. and Parmar, D. (2019). Midwives' perspectives on (dis)respectful intrapartum care during facility-based delivery in sub-Saharan Africa: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. Reproductive Health, 16(1). doi:10.1186/s12978-019-0773-y.
  22. Clifford, G., Craig, G. and McCourt, C. (2019). “Am iz kwiin” (I’m his queen): Combining interpretative phenomenological analysis with a feminist approach to work with gems in a resource-constrained setting. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 16(2), pp. 237–252. doi:10.1080/14780887.2018.1543048.
  23. Husain, S., Allotey, J., Drymoussi, Z., Wilks, M., Fernandez‐Felix, B.M., Whiley, A. … Millar, M. (2019). Effects of oral probiotic supplements on vaginal microbiota during pregnancy: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial with microbiome analysis. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15675.
  24. Velho, M.B., Brüggemann, O.M., McCourt, C., Gama, S.G.N.D., Knobel, R., Gonçalves, A.D.C. … d’Orsi, E. (2019). Modelos de assistência obstétrica na Região Sul do Brasil e fatores associados. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 35(3). doi:10.1590/0102-311x00093118.
  25. Coates, R., Cupples, G., Scamell, A. and McCourt, C. (2019). Women's experiences of induction of labour: Qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis. Midwifery, 69, pp. 17–28. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2018.10.013.
  26. Altaweli, R., McCourt, C., Scamell, M. and Curtis Tyler, K. (2019). Ethnographic study of the use of interventions during the second stage of labor in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Birth, 46(3), pp. 500–508. doi:10.1111/birt.12395.
  27. Hunter, L., Da Motta, G., McCourt, C., Wiseman, O., Rayment, J., Haora, P. … Harden, A. (2018). ’It makes sense and it works’: Maternity care providers’ perspectives on the feasibility of a group antenatal care model (Pregnancy Circles). Midwifery, 66, pp. 56–63. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2018.07.016.
  28. McCourt, C., Rance, S., Rayment, J. and Sandall, J. (2018). Organising safe and sustainable care in alongside midwifery units: Findings from an organisational ethnographic study. Midwifery, 65, pp. 26–34. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2018.06.023.
  29. Walker, S., Batinelli, L., Rocca-Ihenacho, L. and McCourt, C. (2018). ‘Keeping birth normal’: Exploratory evaluation of a training package for midwives in an inner-city, alongside midwifery unit. Midwifery, 60, pp. 1–8. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2018.01.011.
  30. Wiggins, M., Sawtell, M., Wiseman, O., McCourt, C., Greenberg, L., Hunter, R. … Harden, A. (2018). Testing the effectiveness of REACH Pregnancy Circles group antenatal care: Protocol for a randomised controlled pilot trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 4(1). doi:10.1186/s40814-018-0361-x.
  31. Sawtell, M., Sweeney, L., Wiggins, M., Salisbury, C., Eldridge, S., Greenberg, L. … Harden, A. (2018). Evaluation of community-level interventions to increase early initiation of antenatal care in pregnancy: Protocol for the Community REACH study, a cluster randomised controlled trial with integrated process and economic evaluations. Trials, 19(1). doi:10.1186/s13063-018-2526-6.
  32. McCourt, C. (2018). A note from the editor and the publisher. Anthropology in Action, 25(1), pp. v–vi. doi:10.3167/aia.2018.250101.
  33. Walsh, D., Spiby, H., Grigg, C.P., Dodwell, M., McCourt, C., Culley, L. … Byers, S. (2018). Mapping midwifery and obstetric units in England. Midwifery, 56, pp. 9–16. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2017.09.009.
  34. Bronzetti, G., Di Donato, F., Melville, R. and Trucco, S. (2018). Editorial. International Journal of Business Performance Management, 19(1), pp. 1–6.
  35. Tucker, K.L., Taylor, K.S., Crawford, C., Hodgkinson, J.A., Bankhead, C., Carver, T. … McManus, R.J. (2017). Blood pressure self-monitoring in pregnancy: Examining feasibility in a prospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17(1). doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1605-0.
  36. Hinton, L., Tucker, K.L., Greenfield, S.M., Hodgkinson, J.A., Mackillop, L., McCourt, C. … McManus, R.J. (2017). Blood pressure self-monitoring in pregnancy (BuMP) feasibility study; A qualitative analysis of women's experiences of self-monitoring. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17(1). doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1592-1.
  37. Rayment, J., Lanlehin, R., McCourt, C. and Husain, S.M. (2017). Involving seldom-heard groups in a PPI process to inform the design of a proposed trial on the use of probiotics to prevent preterm birth: a case study. Research Involvement and Engagement, 3(1). doi:10.1186/s40900-017-0061-3.
  38. Scamell, M., Altaweli, R. and McCourt, C. (2017). Sarah's birth. How the medicalisation of childbirth may be shaped in different settings: Vignette from a study of routine intervention in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Women and Birth, 30(1). doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2016.08.002.
  39. McCourt, C., Rayment, J., Rance, S. and Sandall, J. (2016). Place of birth and concepts of wellbeing an analysis from two ethnographic studies of midwifery units in England. Anthropology in Action, 23(3), pp. 17–29. doi:10.3167/aia.2016.230303.
  40. Bradley, S., McCourt, C., Rayment, J. and Parmar, D. (2016). Disrespectful intrapartum care during facility-based delivery in sub-Saharan Africa: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis of women's perceptions and experiences. Social Science and Medicine, 169, pp. 157–170. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.09.039.
  41. Dencker, A., Premberg, Å., Olander, E.K., McCourt, C., Haby, K., Dencker, S. … Berg, M. (2016). Adopting a healthy lifestyle when pregnant and obese - an interview study three years after childbirth. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16(1). doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0969-x.
  42. Oblasser, C., McCourt, C. and Hanzal, E. (2016). Vibrating vaginal balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance in women after childbirth: Preliminary results (recruitment and survey) of a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Journal of Midwifery Science, 4(Supplement 1).
  43. Oblasser, C., Christie, J. and McCourt, C. (2015). Vaginal cones or balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance and urinary continence in women post partum: A quantitative systematic review. Midwifery, 31(11), pp. 1017–1025. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2015.08.011.
  44. Hollowell, J., Rowe, R., Townend, J., Knight, M., Li, Y., Linsell, L. … Silverton, L. (2015). The Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study: further analyses to enhance policy and service delivery decision-making for planned place of birth. Health Service and Delivery Research, 3(36). doi:10.3310/hsdr03360.
  45. Rayment, J., McCourt, C., Rance, S. and Sandall, J. (2015). What makes alongside midwifery-led units work? Lessons from a national research project. The practising midwife, 18(6), pp. 31–33.
  46. Oblasser, C., Christie, J. and Mccourt, C. (2015). Vaginal cones or balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance and urinary continence in women postpartum: A quantitative systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(4), pp. 933–941. doi:10.1111/jan.12566.
  47. Li, Y., Townend, J., Rowe, R., Brocklehurst, P., Knight, M., Linsell, L. … Hollowell, J. (2015). Perinatal and maternal outcomes in planned home and obstetric unit births in women at 'higher risk' of complications: Secondary analysis of the Birthplace national prospective cohort study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 122(5), pp. 741–753. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.13283.
  48. Li, Y., Townend, J., Rowe, R., Brocklehurst, P., Knight, M., Linsell, L. … Hollowell, J. (2015). Perinatal and maternal outcomes in planned home and obstetric unit births in women at 'higher risk' of complications: Secondary analysis of the Birthplace national prospective cohort study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 122(5), pp. 741–753. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.13283.
  49. Li, Y., Townend, J., Rowe, R., Brocklehurst, P., Knight, M., Linsell, L. … Hollowell, J. (2015). Perinatal and maternal outcomes in planned home and obstetric unit births in women at 'higher risk' of complications: Secondary analysis of the Birthplace national prospective cohort study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.13283.
  50. Olander, E.K., Berg, M., McCourt, C., Carlström, E. and Dencker, A. (2015). Person-centred care in interventions to limit weight gain in pregnant women with obesity - a systematic review. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 15, p. 50. doi:10.1186/s12884-015-0463-x.
  51. (2015). Bangladeshi women's experiences of infant feeding in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Maternal and Child Nutrition. doi:10.1111/mcn.12169.
  52. Hunter, L., Magill-Cuerden, J. and McCourt, C. (2015). 'Oh no, no, no, we haven't got time to be doing that': Challenges encountered introducing a breast-feeding support intervention on a postnatal ward. Midwifery, 31(8), pp. 798–804. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2015.03.006.
  53. Oblasser, C., Mccourt, C., Hanzal, E. and Christie, J. (2015). Vibrating vaginal balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance in women after childbirth: A protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(4), pp. 900–914. doi:10.1111/jan.12868.
  54. Hodgkinson, J.A., Tucker, K.L., Crawford, C., Greenfield, S.M., Heneghan, C., Hinton, L. … McManus, R.J. (2014). Is self monitoring of blood pressure in pregnancy safe and effective? BMJ, 349(nov18 1). doi:10.1136/bmj.g6616.
  55. McCourt, C. (2014). Information provision for screening programmes requires a complex, person-centred approach. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 121(11), p. 1430.
  56. Gagnon, A.J., De Bruyn, R., Essén, B., Gissler, M., Heaman, M., Jeambey, Z. … Vangen, S. (2014). Development of the Migrant Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire (MFMCQ) for migrants to Western societies: An international Delphi consensus process. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 14(1). doi:10.1186/1471-2393-14-200.
  57. McCourt, C. (2014). What is the value of applying social theory to maternity care? Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem, 23(1), pp. 9–10. doi:10.1590/s0104-07072014000100001.
  58. Baxter, J.D., McCourt, C. and Jarrett, P.M. (2014). What is current practice in offering debriefing services to post partum women and what are the perceptions of women in accessing these services: A critical review of the literature. Midwifery.
  59. Altaweli, R.F., McCourt, C. and Baron, M. (2014). Childbirth care practices in public sector facilities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A descriptive study. Midwifery, 30(7), pp. 899–909. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2014.03.006.
  60. Rowe, R.E., Townend, J., Brocklehurst, P., Knight, M., Macfarlane, A., McCourt, C. … Hollowell, J. (2014). Service configuration, unit characteristics and variation in intervention rates in a national sample of obstetric units in England: An exploratory analysis. BMJ Open, 4(5). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005551.
  61. Small, R., Roth, C., Raval, M., Shafiei, T., Korfker, D., Heaman, M. … Gagnon, A. (2014). Immigrant and non-immigrant women's experiences of maternity care: A systematic and comparative review of studies in five countries. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 14(1). doi:10.1186/1471-2393-14-152.
  62. Hunter, L., Magill-Cuerden, J. and McCourt, C. (2014). Disempowered, passive and isolated: how teenage mothers’ postnatal inpatient experiences in the UK impact on the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Maternal & Child Nutrition. doi:10.1111/mcn.12150.
  63. McCourt, C. (2014). Technologies of birth and models of midwifery care. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem, 48(SpecialIssue), pp. 168–177. doi:10.1590/S0080-623420140000600024.
  64. McCourt, C., Page, S. and Valdez, N. (2014). Editorial. Anthropology in Action, 21(3), pp. 1–2. doi:10.3167/aia.2014.210301.
  65. Cheyne, H., Abhyankar, P. and McCourt, C. (2013). Empowering change: Realist evaluation of a Scottish Government programme to support normal birth. Midwifery, 29(10), pp. 1110–1121. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2013.07.018.
  66. Beake, S., Acosta, L., Cooke, P. and McCourt, C. (2013). Caseload midwifery in a multi-ethnic community: The women's experiences. Midwifery, 29(8), pp. 996–1002. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2013.01.003.
  67. Scamell, M., Macfarlane, A., McCourt, C., Rayment, J., Sunderland, J. and Stewart, M. (2013). NICE ON CAESAREAN SECTION NICE says caesarean section is not available on demand unless clinically indicated. BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, 347. doi:10.1136/bmj.f4649.
  68. McCourt, C. (2013). Embodying Culture: Pregnancy in Japan and Israel. MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY QUARTERLY, 27(2). doi:10.1111/maq.12042.
  69. Clifford, G., Craig, G.M., McCourt, C. and Barrow, G. (2013). What are the benefits and barriers of communicating parental HIV status to seronegative children and the implications for Jamaica? A narrative review of the literature in low/middle income countries. West Indian Medical Journal, 62(4), pp. 357–363. doi:10.7727/wimj.2013.087.
  70. Cheyne, H., McCourt, C. and Semple, K. (2012). Mother knows best: Developing a consumer led, evidence informed, research agenda for maternity care. Midwifery.
  71. Lanlehin, R., Noble, H. and McCourt, C. (2011). How well do midwives use skills and knowledge in examining newborns? British Journal of Midwifery, 19(11), pp. 687–691. doi:10.12968/bjom.2011.19.11.687.
  72. McCourt, C., Redshaw, M. and Birthplace in England research programme and mapping group, (2011). Mapping maternity care facilities in England. Evidence Based Midwifery, 9(2), pp. 46–52.
  73. De Valois, B.A., Young, T.E., Robinson, N., McCourt, C. and Maher, E.J. (2010). Using traditional acupuncture for breast cancer-related hot flashes and night sweats. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(10), pp. 1047–1057. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0472.
  74. McCourt, C., McAree, T. and Beake, S. (2010). Perceptions of Group Practice Midwifery amongst Women in an Ethnically Diverse Area. Evidence-Based Midwifery.
  75. McCourt, C., Rowan, C. and Bick, D. (2010). Provision of perinatal mental health services in two English Strategic Health Authorities: views and perspectives of the multi-professional team. Evidence-Based Midwifery.
  76. McCourt, C. (2010). Bipolar expeditions: mania and depression in American culture. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, 16(1), pp. 192–193. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9655.2009.01604_26.x.
  77. McAree, T., McCourt, C. and Beake, S. (2010). Perceptions of group practice midwifery from women living in an ethnically diverse Setting. Evidence Based Midwifery, 8(3), pp. 91–97.
  78. Rowan, C., McCourt, C. and Beake, S. (2009). Midwives' reflections on their educational programme: a traditional or problem-based learning approach? Midwifery, 25(2), pp. 213–222. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2007.01.014.
  79. McCourt, C., Schmied, V., Beake, S., Sheehan, A. and Dykes, F. (2009). A meta-sythesis of women's perceptions and experiences of breast feeding support. JBI Library of Systematic Reviews, 7(14), pp. 583–614.
  80. McCandlish, R., Brocklehurst, P., Campbell, R., Logan, M., Macfarlane, A., McCourt, C. … Marlow, N. (2008). National evaluation safety and cost-effectiveness of planned place of birth. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 115(8), pp. 1063–1064. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01767.x.
  81. Rowan, C.J., McCourt, C. and Beake, S. (2008). Problem based learning in midwifery - The students' perspective. Nurse Education Today, 28(1), pp. 93–99. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2007.02.014.
  82. McCourt, C., Kimber, L., McNabb, M., Haines, L. and Brocklehurst, P. (2008). Massage or music for pain relief in labour. A pilot randomised placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Pain. doi:10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.01.004.
  83. Schmied, V., Sheehan, A., McCourt, C., Dykes, F., Beake, S. and Bick, D. (2008). Womenʼs perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding support: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 6(Supplement), pp. 1–12. doi:10.11124/01938924-200806041-00001.
  84. McCourt, C. (2008). Editorial. Anthropology in Action, 15(1). doi:10.3167/aia.2008.150101.
  85. Gamble, J., Creedy, D.K., McCourt, C., Weaver, J. and Beake, S. (2007). A critique of the literature on women's request for cesarean section. Birth, 34(4), pp. 331–340. doi:10.1111/j.1523-536X.2007.00193.x.
  86. Morgan, P.A., McCourt, C.A. and Youll, P. (2007). Social richness, socio-technical tension and the virtual commissioning of NHS research. Health Research Policy and Systems, 5. doi:10.1186/1478-4505-5-8.
  87. McCourt, C., Weaver, J., Statham, H., Beake, S., Gamble, J. and Creedy, D.K. (2007). Elective cesarean section and decision making: A critical review of the literature. Birth, 34(1), pp. 65–79. doi:10.1111/j.1523-536X.2006.00147.x.
  88. Rowan, C.J., McCourt, C., Bick, D. and Beake, S. (2007). Problem based learning in midwifery - The teachers perspective. Nurse Education Today, 27(2), pp. 131–138. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2006.03.006.
  89. McCourt, C.A., Morgan, P.A. and Youll, P. (2006). Evaluation of a 'virtual' approach to commissioning health research. Health Research Policy and Systems, 4. doi:10.1186/1478-4505-4-9.
  90. Nabb, M.T.M., Kimber, L., Haines, A. and McCourt, C. (2006). Does regular massage from late pregnancy to birth decrease maternal pain perception during labour and birth?-A feasibility study to investigate a programme of massage, controlled breathing and visualization, from 36 weeks of pregnancy until birth. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 12(3), pp. 222–231. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2005.12.006.
  91. McCourt, C. (2006). Supporting choice and control? Communication and interaction between midwives and women at the antenatal booking visit. Social Science and Medicine, 62(6), pp. 1307–1318. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.07.031.
  92. McCourt, C., Bick, D., Hunter, B., Sandall, J., Macfarlane, A., Kirkham, M. … Osbourne, A. (2006). What price for a perfect delivery? RCM midwives : the official journal of the Royal College of Midwives, 9(3), p. 113.
  93. McCourt, C., Beake, S. and Bick, D. (2006). Women’s views of hospital and community-based postnatal care: the good, the bad and the indifferent. Evidence Based Midwifery, 3(2), pp. 80–86.
  94. McCourt, C. and Stevens, T. (2006). Continuity of carer – what does it mean and does it matter to midwives and birthing women? Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice, 4(3), pp. 10–20.
  95. McCourt, C. (2005). Research and theory for nursing and midwifery: Rethinking the nature of evidence. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 2(2), pp. 75–83. doi:10.1111/j.1741-6787.2005.05003.x.
  96. Beake, S., McCourt, C., Rowan, C. and Taylor, J. (2005). Evaluation of the use of health care assistants to support disadvantaged women breastfeeding in the community. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 1(1), pp. 32–43. doi:10.1111/j.1740-8709.2004.00007.x.
  97. McCourt, C. (2005). Call for Reviews. Anthropology in Action, 12(2). doi:10.3167/096720105793233959.
  98. Bick, D., Mccourt, C. and Beake, S. (2004). Choice, culture, and evidence-informed practice: Addressing the future of the U.K. maternity services. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 1(3), pp. 162–164. doi:10.1111/j.1524-475X.2004.04030.x.
  99. Bulma, K.H. and McCourt, C. (2002). Somali refugee women's experiences of maternity care in west London: A case study. Critical Public Health, 12(4), pp. 365–380. doi:10.1080/0958159021000029568.
  100. Stevens, T. and McCourt, C. (2002). One-to-one midwifery practice part 4: sustaining the model. British Journal of Midwifery, 10(3), pp. 174–179. doi:10.12968/bjom.2002.10.3.10207.
  101. Stevens, T. and McCourt, C. (2002). One-to-one midwifery practice part 3: meaning for midwives. British Journal of Midwifery, 10(2), pp. 111–115. doi:10.12968/bjom.2002.10.2.10185.
  102. Robertson, L., Kawik, L., McCourt, C., Forster, M., Pask, E. and Dexter, Y. (2002). Do children's nurses make a difference? Paediatric nursing, 14(4), pp. 30–33. doi:10.7748/paed.14.4.30.s26.
  103. Stevens, T. and McCourt, C. (2002). One-to-one midwifery practice part 2: the transition period. British Journal of Midwifery, 10(1), pp. 45–50. doi:10.12968/bjom.2002.10.1.10051.
  104. Stevens, T. and McCourt, C. (2001). One-to-one midwifery practice part 1: setting the scene. British Journal of Midwifery, 9(12), pp. 736–740. doi:10.12968/bjom.2001.9.12.9399.
  105. Page, L., Beake, S., Vall, A., McCourt, C. and Hewison, J. (2001). Clinical outcomes of one-to-one midwifery practice. British Journal of Midwifery, 9(11), pp. 700–706. doi:10.12968/bjom.2001.9.11.9417.
  106. Thomas, B.G. and McCourt, C. (2001). Problem-based learning. Reducing the theory-practice gap? The practising midwife, 4(7), p. 52.
  107. Thomas, G. and McCourt, C. (2001). The possibilities of problem based learning in midwifery. The practising midwife, 4(5), p. 42.
  108. McCourt, C. and Beake, S. (2001). Using Midwifery Monitor to assess quality in two maternity care systems. The practising midwife, 4(2), pp. 23–29.
  109. McCourt, C. and Thomas, B.G. (2001). Evaluation of a problem-based curriculum in midwifery. Midwifery, 17(4), pp. 323–331. doi:10.1054/midw.2001.0276.
  110. McCourt, C.A. (2000). Life after hospital closure: Users' views of living in residential 'resettlement' projects. A case study in consumer-led research. Health Expectations, 3(3), pp. 192–202. doi:10.1046/j.1369-6513.2000.00096.x.
  111. McCourt, C. and Pearce, A. (2000). Does continuity of carer matter to women from minority ethnic groups? Midwifery, 16(2), pp. 145–154. doi:10.1054/midw.2000.0204.
  112. Page, L., McCourt, C., Beake, S., Vail, A. and Hewison, J. (1999). Clinical interventions and outcomes of One-to-One midwifery practice. Journal of Public Health Medicine, 21(3), pp. 243–248. doi:10.1093/pubmed/21.3.243.
  113. McCourt, C., Page, L., Hewison, J. and Vail, A. (1998). Evaluation of one-to-one midwifery: Women's responses to care. Birth, 25(2), pp. 73–80. doi:10.1046/j.1523-536x.1998.00073.x.
  114. Beake, S., McCourt, C., Page, L. and Vail, A. (1998). The use of clinical audit in evaluating maternity services reform: A critical reflection. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 4(1), pp. 75–83. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2753.1998.t01-1-00007.x.
  115. McCourt, C. (1996). One-to-one midwifery. Women's responses. Modern midwife, 6(10), pp. 8–11.
  116. Darling, F., Cartwright, M. and McCourt, C. Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of a physiological approach during labour and birth in obstetric units: A systematic review and thematic synthesis. Midwifery.

Reports (11)

  1. Yuill, C., Soria, J., Rocca-Ihenacho, L., Reeve-Jones, C. and McCourt, C. (2018). The Barkantine Birth Centre: Celebrating 10 years as a Community Hub. London: Barts Health NHS Trust.
  2. McCourt, C., Rayment, J., Rance, S. and Sandall, J. (2014). An ethnographic organisational study of alongside midwifery units: a follow-on study from the Birthplace in England programme - Scientific Summary. NIHR.
  3. McCourt, C., Rayment, J., Rance, S. and Sandall, J. (2014). An ethnographic organisational study of alongside midwifery units: a follow-on study from the Birthplace in England programme - Full Report. NIHR.
  4. McCourt, C., Cheyne, H. and Semple, K. (2012). Mothers Involved in Research Agenda Setting:
    Report of the MIRAS project.     Stirling: NMAHP Research UNit, University of Stirling.
  5. McCourt, C., Rance, S., Rayment, J. and Sandall, J. (2011). Birthplace qualitative organisational case studies: how maternity care systems may affect the provision of care in different birth settings Birthplace in England research programme. Final report part 6. HMSO.
  6. Hollowell, J., Puddicombe, D., Rowe, R., Linsell, L., Hardy, P., Stewart, M. … Brocklehurst, P. (2011). The Birthplace national prospective cohort study: perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth Birthplace in England research programme. Final report part 4. HMSO.
  7. Schroeder, L., Petrou, S., Patel, N., Hollowell, J., Puddicombe, D., Redshaw, M. … Macfarlane, A. (2011). Birthplace cost-effectiveness analysis of planned place of birth: individual level analysis Birthplace in England research programme: final report part 5. HMSO.
  8. Rowe, R., The Birthplace in England Collaborative Group, , McCourt, C. and Macfarlane, (2011). Birthplace terms and definitions: consensus process Birthplace in England research programme. HMSO.
  9. Hollowell, J., The Birthplace in England Collaborative Group, , Mccourt, and macfarlane, (2011). Birthplace programme overview: background, component studies and summary of findings. Southampton: HMSO.
  10. Redshaw, M., Rowe, R., Schroeder, L., Puddicombe, D., Macfarlane, A., Newburn, M. … Marlow, N. (2011). Mapping maternity care: the configuration of maternity care in England. Birthplace in England research programme. Final report part 3. Southampton: HMSO.
  11. McCourt, C., Rance, S., Rayment, J.L. and Sandall, J. (2011). Birthplace in England Research programme, Organisational Case Studies Final Report 6: how maternity care systems may affect the provision of care in different birth settings London: HMSO. London: HMSO.

Professional activities

Editorial activity (4)

  1. Anthropology in Action, Managing Editor.
  2. - International Journal of Childbirth
    - Journal of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care
    - Birth; British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology    , Editorial Board Member.
  3. - DoH O&M Programme
    - DoH SDO Programme
    - National Institute of Health Research
    - An Bord Slainte Eireann
    - Canada Council for the Arts
    - RCOG Wellbeing
    - ESRC
    - European Union    , External reviewer.
  4. - BMJ
    - Social Science and Medicine
    - Midwifery
    - Maternal and Child Nutrition
    - BMC Public Health
    - Quality and Safety in Health Care
    - Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
    - Ethnicity and Health
    - BJOG    , Peer reviewer.

Other (2)

  1. Scientific Committee, Normal Birth International Conference, ICM biennial conference.
  2. Expert research panel, International Congress of Midwives (ICM).