Mums-to-be should have home birth choice

NHS North Lincolnshire is not doing enough to encourage expectant mothers to give birth at home, according to a report.

The report by the by National Childbirth Trust (NCT), the country's biggest parenting charity, classed NHS North Lincolnshire as not giving enough choice to expectant mothers.

2.1 per cent of mothers in the region gave birth at home last year, with the NCT arguing that Trusts with a figure of below five per cent were not doing enough to provide women with a full range of childbirth options.

Ronnie Wilson, of North Lincolnshire patient group Who Cares, said: "It would be a good use of resources to have more midwives available for home births, as it wonderful for both mother and baby when births can be carried out in the home.

"However, this must be balanced with an emphasis on safety, some deliveries require hospitalisation and we must not approve cases where it would not be safe for a home delivery in order to boost target figures."

The research for the report was commissioned in light of the Government's Maternity Matters1 promise that all women in England will have access to choice of place of birth by the end of the year.

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of the NCT, said: "With a simple re-thinking of the way their maternity services are delivered, trusts can ensure choice is available to all women."

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