Mum felt 'panic' over suspension of home births

A mother who was told home births were to be suspended when she was 38 weeks pregnant, has said the situation had caused her a "lot of panic".

Bethany Pollock, 33, from Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire, had planned a home birth for her third son, Locksley, but was informed that Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had extended its suspension of home births for "at least six months".

"I was heavily into my pregnancy and it was like having the rug pulled from underneath my feet," she said.

The Trust said the decision had been made because of safety concerns over staffing levels. "The safety of women and babies is always our top priority", a spokesperson added.

Ms Pollock said a home birth was a "no-brainer" for her after using that method for her second child during Covid.

"It was a big decision, but we felt that was the right decision for us," she said.

She had already been sent the home birth kit when she received a call informing her that the suspension was being extended.

"It was really scary and really stressful. It just caused me a lot of panic."

Ms Pollock decided to have a free birth, with the support of two doulas, Emma Gleave and Kit Phillips.

Ms Gleave is part of a new collective, Gloucestershire Maternity Action Group, which wants the Trust to reverse its decision.

She said she believes Gloucestershire maternity services are in an "absolute crisis under the surface".

"Some mums have decided not to have any more children because of the way that maternity services are at the moment," Ms Gleave added.

The decision to extend the suspension of home births comes after the government announced a review of maternity care at the worst-performing services in the country, with Gloucestershire among the areas included.

The Trust said the extended suspension would allow staff to be retrained and "a new model of care and delivery to be implemented".

"We are committed to bringing the service back after a full review of our staffing and midwife-led birth services", the Trust said.

"Any new model will be developed with input from staff, women, and the community, including doulas.

"Midwife-led care is still available at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Birth Unit and Stroud Maternity Hospital."

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