Pregnant women have the right to choose whether to have their baby in hospital, at a birthing centre or at home but in practice many are not given enough information about the choices available.
When most women discover they’re pregnant, the first stop is usually their GP, although there is another option.
“Many don’t know they could see a midwife directly, who could talk through their options in a non-biased way,” says Carol Ellison, community midwifery manager at the Trafford Healthcare Trust in Manchester.
“Many aren’t told they have a choice of where they can go.”
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) claims that many women find it too difficult to access a home birth.
“Low midwifery staffing levels mean that too often the option of a home birth is either not being offered or services end up being withdrawn at short notice, despite the Government saying it wants all women to have a choice of place of birth,” says Gail Werkmeister, president of the NCT.
So where can you go to get the right advice and support?
WHO TO ASK Instead of seeing your GP (who may not be up to date with local facilities), you could ask to see your community midwife. You can talk through the options prior to your “booking appointment” with a hospital, which may not take place until you’re around 12 weeks pregnant.
“You may need to get your GP to refer you but ask them to do this straightaway, so you’re seen ahead of your scan,” says Carol. In some parts of the country,
a community midwife will come and see you in your own home, adds Lesley Gaskell from the Royal College of Midwives.
The NCT pregnancy and birth line on 0300 330 0772 is available to mums-to-be who want to discuss options and concerns.
FIND WHAT’S ON OFFER To discover what’s available in your area before you see a midwife, contact NHS Direct (0845 4647). “You can call with any query or concern about where to have your baby,” says the organisation’s Ann Grain.
Compare services The NHS Choices website allows you to compare local maternity services. It scores hospitals on criteria which include what percentage of women felt they were given enough information about screenings, for example.
VISIT IN PERSON Before you make a decision about where to have your baby, take a look round the places you are considering, says Carol. “Getting a tour of the facilities and seeing the place gives you a feel for what sort of experience it might offer.”
POSTNATAL HELP It’s also worth finding out about local services that offer after-care. Midwives usually visit women in their own home, for up to 28 days after the birth. There are also some SureStart centreswhere you can see a midwife for anything from a check-up to help with postnatal depression.=
Local health centres offer everything from baby clinics to baby massage sessions. To find your local centre, call NHS Direct. Your midwife will usually be able to direct you to all local postnatal support, so ask them for details.
This year the National Childbirth Trust will provide a further 600 antenatal and postnatal courses across the UK.
Antenatal classes provide information on pregnancy and options for birth. Early days postnatal classes explore parenting styles, sleeping and baby feeding. To find out more call 0300 330 0770 or visit www.nct.org.uk/confidence
CASE STUDY... When Lucy Attwood was pregnant with her daughter Hermione (now three months), she found it hard to get advice on the type of birth she wanted.
“It was a minefield,” says Lucy, 36, who lives with husband Stephen, 37, in west London. “I went to my GP but he just named a few local hospitals and said I wouldn’t get one-to-one midwifery care in any of them.”
Lucy was booked into a local hospital but she wasn’t happy. So she employed a doula (a woman who has had children and supports other women through pregnancy).
“My doula talked to me about having a birth at home,” says Lucy. “But my GP said my street didn’t fall into an area where home births were available.”
Eventually, Lucy booked into a natural birthing centre. “I applied online but the system didn’t work, so I phoned,” says Lucy, who runs her own events management business. “My GP didn’t help me with the booking, so I was pleased I had a doula to support me.”
Although the antenatal care that Lucy received wasn’t as good as she wanted, the birth went well. “After all the difficulties I’d had in arranging it, it was fantastic in the end.”
DOULA UK 'S 'GOLD STANDARD' DOULAS
08.10.08, 9:50am
Every expectant mother should have a doula!
The continuous emotional and practical support that a doula provides during labour and birth has been shown to increase the chances of the mother experiencing an intervention-free, gentle birth.This in turn supports a good start to breastfeeding and less possibility of postnatal depression, clear benefits for the long term health and wellbeing of both mother and baby. Some doulas work exclusively during the postnatal period, nurturing the new mother and her family. Key to the success of doula support is that she is chosen, and therefore known and trusted, by the mother or parents-to-be, not part of the hospital system.
Founded in 2001, Doula UK is the leading body within the UK doula movement. We aim to set a 'gold standard' amongst the doula community through our Recognition Process of assessment and mentorship. For access to our free Find-a-Doula service and more information about our doula Voucher Scheme, see www.doula.org.uk
Video 
DOULA UK 'S 'GOLD STANDARD' DOULAS
08.10.08, 9:50am
Every expectant mother should have a doula!
The continuous emotional and practical support that a doula provides during labour and birth has been shown to increase the chances of the mother experiencing an intervention-free, gentle birth.This in turn supports a good start to breastfeeding and less possibility of postnatal depression, clear benefits for the long term health and wellbeing of both mother and baby. Some doulas work exclusively during the postnatal period, nurturing the new mother and her family. Key to the success of doula support is that she is chosen, and therefore known and trusted, by the mother or parents-to-be, not part of the hospital system.
Founded in 2001, Doula UK is the leading body within the UK doula movement. We aim to set a 'gold standard' amongst the doula community through our Recognition Process of assessment and mentorship. For access to our free Find-a-Doula service and more information about our doula Voucher Scheme, see www.doula.org.uk
• Posted by: malimo • Report Comment
To view all 'Have Your Say' comments, click this button...