Saturday, April 28, 2012

Fears women could be forced to give birth without doctors

This article, published in today's Telegraph newspaper, is worth reading as it raises some very important issues, some of which I touched on in my letter to the BMJ on April 18, 2011.

It is very concerning that UK policy or guidelines may 'instruct' ALL women with "low risk" pregnancies to be cared for in midwife-led birth centres.

Aside from the fact that no one knows which birth will be low risk until it's over, the fact is that many, many women DO NOT WANT to give birth in a place where doctors and an emergency operating room are not immediately available.

Providing choice for women that want a homebirth or exclusive midwife-led care is dangerously turning into an ideological push for all women to give birth in the place (not necessarily the way) thought to be most appropriate for them.

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