NUH is currently running a mostly daytime only home birth service - over 70% of births happen outside the hours of 9am-5pm.

In April 2022 we were told there would be a full time home birth team by May we are now looking at going into 2023 with this promise still not fulfilled.

Human rights law gives individuals the right to enjoy a private and family life. This means the right to choose the circumstances of their birth, including where to give birth. This right should only be restricted where there is a legitimate aim such as protecting the health of others and where the restriction is proportionate. The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians published guidance during the pandemic which makes clear the benefits of home birth and sets out thresholds in terms of staff shortages for when withdrawing services might be appropriate. As of yet, NUH have been unable to provide evidence that they are following this guidance.

Research shows that people who plan to give birth at home are:

• 70% less likely to have an epidural
• 40% less likely to have a third or fourth degree tear
• 60% less likely to have labour augmented with a pitocin drip
• 40% less likely to have a caesarean section
• 50% less likely to have an instrumental birth
• 55% less likely to have an episiotomy during labour

(Lancet 2020)

A study which looked at the experiences of more than 28,000 women in the UK and Ireland has shown a significant association between home birth and breastfeeding (Quigley et al 2016).

If anybody feels they would like to write to the trust themselves you can find template letters through birthrights - https://www.birthrights.org.uk/template-letters/

Please do add your personal stories, or why home birth is important to you to the 'reason for signing' part of this page if you'd like to.