Parents outrage at plan to end homebirth scheme

PARENTS outraged by the Western Health Board’s (WHB) plan to end a homebirth scheme are demanding its retention and expansion.

The newly-formed Parents for Choice claim the scheme makes births cost-effective and cuts down the time a mother spends in hospital. They also argue that it gives mothers more control over the birth process, with less intervention by consultants and medics.

“The scheme is designed to be midwifery-led and low interventionist. This approach leads to the three c’s in birthing - choice, control and continuity of care,” said lobby group spokeswoman Ann Irwin.