Wednesday, 19 May 2004
Expectant mothers from across Wales were encouraged today to consider home births when Health and Social Services Minister Jane Hutt launched 'Home Sweet Home', a home birth information leaflet, at the Royal College of Midwives annual conference being held in Cardiff.
The leaflet, developed by the Home Birth Reference Group and part funded by Heads of Midwifery and Bounty, will help to give newly pregnant mothers the information they may need to help them choose the best place to give birth.
Launching the leaflet Jane Hutt said: "I strongly believe that choice is important for all aspects of pregnancy and I want the choice of home birth to be made freely available to all healthy women with normal pregnancies. Having an information leaflet that is simple and easy to read whilst containing all that a newly pregnant woman would want to know about home birth is vital to make pregnant mothers aware of all the choices available to them.
"We know that women want a safe place to give birth in an environment where they feel comfortable and as relaxed as they can be. For many women this is home. The target that Heads of Midwifery have set, of a 10% home birth rate by 2007, is ambitious but achievable. I know that in many areas of Wales there has already been an increase in home births. If we all work together to offer real choice and support to women who choose home birth I am confident that home birth rates will continue to increase.
"The Home Birth Reference Group has worked hard to increase home births through developing policies that support home births, providing support and training across Wales as well as leading this initiative in all Trusts. I am sure this leaflet will support all the great work they are currently carrying out."
Notes:
The All Wales Home Birth Reference Group was set up in September 2002 to help increase the number of home births.
The group is made up of midwives from each NHS Trust in Wales, midwifery educationalists and the Royal College of Midwives.
The leaflet entitled - "Home Sweet Home. Thinking About Home Birth?" answers common questions such as:
The leaflet also raises the subject of pain relief and the practicalities of home birth interspersed with quotes from mothers who have experienced a home birth at first hand.
Launching the leaflet Jane Hutt said: "I strongly believe that choice is important for all aspects of pregnancy and I want the choice of home birth to be made freely available to all healthy women with normal pregnancies. Having an information leaflet that is simple and easy to read whilst containing all that a newly pregnant woman would want to know about home birth is vital to make pregnant mothers aware of all the choices available to them.
"We know that women want a safe place to give birth in an environment where they feel comfortable and as relaxed as they can be. For many women this is home. The target that Heads of Midwifery have set, of a 10% home birth rate by 2007, is ambitious but achievable. I know that in many areas of Wales there has already been an increase in home births. If we all work together to offer real choice and support to women who choose home birth I am confident that home birth rates will continue to increase.
"The Home Birth Reference Group has worked hard to increase home births through developing policies that support home births, providing support and training across Wales as well as leading this initiative in all Trusts. I am sure this leaflet will support all the great work they are currently carrying out."
Notes:
The All Wales Home Birth Reference Group was set up in September 2002 to help increase the number of home births.
The group is made up of midwives from each NHS Trust in Wales, midwifery educationalists and the Royal College of Midwives.
The leaflet entitled - "Home Sweet Home. Thinking About Home Birth?" answers common questions such as:
- Why home birth?
- Who is suitable for a home birth?
- Who needs to be there?
The leaflet also raises the subject of pain relief and the practicalities of home birth interspersed with quotes from mothers who have experienced a home birth at first hand.
Source:
Welsh Assembly Government
