Maternity services to resume actively offering home births across North Wales
11/03/2024
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Maternity services are resuming actively offering home births.
The Health Board has worked closely with the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) to proactively reinstate the service after it was temporarily halted due to ongoing pressures on the system.
Fiona Giraud, Director of Midwifery and Womens Services, said: “After a careful review, I am pleased to confirm the reintroduction of our Home Birth Service in North Wales.
“We are working closely with our colleagues at WAST, and our community midwives will provide guidance to expectant mothers to support them in making the right birth choices for them and their baby.”
Bethan Jones, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Local Safety Champion for Maternity and Neonatal Care, said: “We are pleased that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is resuming its active offer of home births to women and birthing people within the health board region.
“As an organisation, we will continue to support birth choices of those wishing to birth at home and give the confidence to everyone involved that our services are available should they be needed.
“We will continue to work closely with colleagues in the health board to ensure that the reintroduction of home birth services is a positive and safe experience for women, birthing people, their babies and families.”
If you are expecting and have any questions or concerns about home births please contact your community midwifery team. They will provide support, answer your questions, and guide you through your birth choices to help you make the right decision for you and your baby.
Further information and guidance is available in the Maternity Services section of our website: Where to give birth - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)