Everyone should be given the choice for where and how they birth. There are many barriers to choosing a home birth, but financial constraints should not be one of them.  It is a barrier that can be solved for anyone living in the Maitland catchment if we had access to a Publicly Funded Home Birth (PFHB) program. 

With cost of living putting more and more pressure on families, not everyone can afford private midwives to birth safely at home. Homebirth provides comfort and familiarity, less medical intervention, and greater postnatal support, for those who choose it.

In Australia, only 0.3% of all births occur at home (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare), yet studies show that planned home births with qualified midwives are just as safe as hospital births for low-risk pregnancies (BMJ Open). It is a timely request in light of the recent NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry, in which one of the recommendations was greater access to home birth.

We propose that our local government and maternity health services establish a publicly funded home birth program in the Maitland region. By implementing this program locally, we provide more parents with access to this empowering birthing option without financial constraints.

There is resistance within the current maternity care system at Maitland Hospital to provide this service due to a perceived lack of interest. Homebirth was once an option in some of the Maitland area within the allowed radius of the Belmont Midwifery Group, however new hospital zoning rules have disqualified many who live in these suburbs. We’re asking for the choice to be restored to this community and given to so many more. 

Please sign this petition to help us bring about change for expectant parents in Maitland.

Follow our journey:

https://www.instagram.com/friendsofmaitlandhomebirth​

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofmaitlandhomebirth

Image credit: Emily Muddle of e.foto (Instagram - @_e.foto)