Pregnant women are urged to give birth in their own homes - Scotsman.com News ›
MOTHERS-to-be are to be encouraged to stay away from hospital in an effort to more than double the number of home births in the Lothians.
Pregnant women living furthest from the ERI and St John’s in Livingston will be urged to consider giving birth in their own homes.
It is thought that avoiding long trips to and from the maternity units – including the sometimes hectic dash to “get there on time” – will make the experience of giving birth more relaxed for many women.
The health board also hopes to ease the pressure on the hospitals caused by the growing number of births.
There has been a gradual increase in the popularity of home births in recent years, with 150 taking place last year – two per cent of births – compared to 112 in 1995.
Health chiefs hope to see that number rise to closer to 400 in the coming years, or five per cent of all births.
What a refreshing outlook on birth. Did you catch that they are actually asking those living further from the hospital to consider this option?
