British Support for Birth

The United States has one of the poorest maternal and infant mortality rates in the developed world.  Countries which support midwifery and home birth, with OBs used in the case of high-risk pregnancies, fare significantly better.  In fact, the UK National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the Independent Midwives' Association (IMA) published a press release voicing their concerns over the ACOG/AMA resolution I posted about yesterday.

Among their breath-of-fresh-air statements is this one:

Home birth should be considered a mainstream option and offered as a regular choice for pregnant women using the health service, whichever country they reside in. For a healthy woman with a straightforward, low-risk pregnancy, home birth is a safe option. It is important that midwives provide care for women at home and that they have experience in home birth, receive active support and supervision, and that their training needs are met. Women's individual needs must be assessed and the back up of a modern hospital system, with good communication and transport links, are important, should transfer be needed.

Now, why did we run away from England?