And finally… how do we put all the evidence into practice?

The evidence-based practice agenda will remain a theoretical objective unless attention is focused on how best to influence clinicians to change practice. Studies in this area already tell us that addressing the specific barriers to change in practice environments are crucial to success. Qualitative research methods have a key role in enabling us to change practice behaviours by revealing underlying power relationships that imbue practice. Midwifery needs to break free from an obstetric-led evidence agenda if it is to salvage physiological birth from evidence-driven clinical protocols claiming to reduce risk.