Dr Lucia Rocca-Ihenacho PhD MSc RM
NIHR Research Fellow and Midwifery Lecturer
Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research
School of Health Sciences
City University London
Lucia Rocca-Ihenacho studied anthropology in Italy where she also qualified as a midwife and worked in independent practice offering holistic care. In 2002 she moved to England where she worked in the NHS in various clinical academic positions including as a Consultant Midwife for Public Health.
Lucia is passionate about supporting the development of positive interdisciplinary team culture and facilitating organisational change. She has experience of mentoring midwives and medical staff in clinical practice in a wide range of settings from home births in London to the mountains of rural Afghanistan.
She sees supporting optimal intrapartum care in all birth environments as a key aspect of providing high quality care. This includes maximising physiological care for all women, including those with complicating conditions, which might preclude them from pursuing a completely normal birth.
Lucia’s PhD focused on identifying the key ingredients which make midwifery units functioning well. Since 2015 she has been based at City, University of London where she works as a Lecturer and researcher. Lucia is one of the co-founders and CEO of the Midwifery Unit Network.
