Home birth support group offers advice

Mums who gave birth at home have set up a new support group to help expectant women in the Telford area make choices about their birth.

Emma Bello and Gina Cox Roberts say having their babies at home were very special experiences and ones they would repeat in the future. Although Shropshire is near the top of the league for home births, just 2.4 per cent of babies across the county are born at home. In Telford and Wrekin the figure is just two per cent.

Gina, 29, from Arleston, gave birth to her daughter Ember at home last year.

"Having worked as labour support person, supporting other people's births at both home and hospital, before I got pregnant, I knew that I wanted to give birth at home," she said.

"I was able do whatever I wanted to do at every stage. It was beautiful to be able to welcome Ember straight into her home and if I were to do it again I wouldn't change a thing."Emma, 30, of Donnington Wood, gave birth to both her sons Abel and Abraham at home.

She said: "I am a very healthy woman and frequent and thorough antenatal check-ups confirmed my babies were healthy and well and this helped me make the choice to birth my sons at home.

"There was a deep, unspoken, respectful understanding between my midwife, my husband, my mum and me.

"Nobody told me what to do, and I never felt like I needed permission.

"I know having a baby at home won't appeal to everyone, but it is a very real, very safe option if you and baby are well.

"If any pregnant woman is interested in having a home birth then she should discuss it with her midwife, but regardless of the response, she and her partner if she has one, are welcome to come to the group to meet others interested in home birth and receive support."

The group will meet every six weeks, either in Gina's or Emma's home.

There will usually be a midwife and other birth professionals present. The first meeting is on December 9 from 7.30pm. For information call Gina 07905 312296 or Emma (01952) 606066.