Family-centered maternity care in the new millennium: is it real or is it imagined?

Family-centered maternity care (FCMC) has become a familiar phrase in today's maternity services; however, the actual implementation in many hospitals is likely to be more "staff-centered" than "family-centered." This article gives an overview of the historical development of family-centered care and the importance of this model of care to a new or growing family's ability to adapt to the stress of birth and parenting. The current status of FCMC is reviewed in relation to prenatal education, intrapartum care, mother-baby nursing, and family visitation. Many lessons have been learned about implementing FCMC over the past 20 years. Suggestions are provided regarding the development of a vision and mission, the institutional culture, systems and clinical management, staff attitudes, and involvement of families.