Heartbeat: Birthing at home made comfortable thanks to new team of midwives

September 28, 2021

The home birth team called Birch is the next continuity of care team to be launched at the Trust which means women will be looked after by a dedicated team of midwives. Launched in August, they will ensure women receive antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care if they have chosen home as their preferred place of birth. This is a continuation of the provision which has been traditionally provided by our excellent community midwives, with the additional benefits of case loading.

Over the past 12 months there has been a growth in women requesting a home birth, which identified the need to expand. It will mean women can feel confident in the service and home births can be promoted as an option when considering where to have their baby. The Birch team will consist of eight midwives each looking after around 32 women at any one time.

Midwife Clare Williams, who is leading the team added: “We are delighted to launch the Birch team which will specifically look after women who choose to birth their baby at home.

“It’s part of the maternity plan to support women to have the birth they choose in the environment they feel most comfortable in to meet their baby.

“Our team members have a wealth of experience and will provide one-to-one care to the women they look after, preparing them for a home birth in a practical and emotional way.

“When compared to a birth on delivery suite, a home birth is as safe, women have fewer difficulties and the recovery time is better. They are less likely to have a caesarean section, have lower intervention rates and are more likely to use a pool in labour.

“Being at home in their own environment helps women’s bodies to labour better. The labour hormone, Oxytocin is naturally higher when the woman feels safe and therefore there is less need for interventions.

“Women have also stated the need to have their family close during labour as a reason for them choosing a home birth.”

To contact the team for more information or to refer women to the service email swbh.birchhomebirthteam@nhs.net.