Perinatal events can result in associated longer term health and broader societal costs, as shown by the size
of damages paid in obstetric litigation cases, which represent a substantial cost to the NHS.27 Follow - up
over weeks or longer to monitor recovery, or a future assessment
of the outcomes for
mothers and babies at a later date, would act as a vehicle for estimating costs and consequences beyond the perinatal
period and shed more light on long term cost effectiveness.