Released on: 14 June 2013
A recent study by published in the BMJ reveals that planned home births are less risky than planned hospital births, particularly for second-time mothers.
NCT’s CEO, Belinda Phipps said:
“We are delighted to see this report from BMJ confirming yet again that for a healthy woman with a straightforward, low-risk pregnancy home birth is a safe option.
“This report will be welcome news for women who would like to give birth at home. Unfortunately too many maternity providers in the UK are still failing to offer this choice to low risk women, and NHS finance systems can make this option less appealing for hospitals.
“A report by NFWI and NCT on women’s experiences of maternity services in the UK shows that only 12% of women were given all four choices of where to give birth.
“Provided women have a straightforward pregnancy, home birth should be considered a mainstream option for women in the UK alongside birth centres and hospital maternity units.”
ENDS
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Notes to editors:
71% of women choosing a home birth listed safety as one of their reasons for choosing to give birth there.
