News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

pregnant-woman-main_article_image.jpg
PA
UK News

Christian child care expert: "We desperately need more midwives"

by Hannah Tooley

Rachel Waddilove was speaking as a major review recommends pregnant women in England are given their own budget to spend on maternity services.

She told Premier's News Hour the idea is brilliant but there must be enough staff to ensure it works.

The NHS review is recommending that pregnant women in England are given their own budget to spend on maternity services, exactly the way they want.

£3,000 would let mums-to-be have more choice about things like how and where they give birth, and which hospital they go to for their check-ups.

It can also be spent on certain treatments like hypnotherapy.

Births 2014:

664,543 births in England 

87% of births took place in hospital

11% in midwife-led units

2% at home

Rachel Waddilove is backing a number of aspects of the review. She said: "What I think is really great is that a mother would have the same person looking after her through her pregnancy, through her birth and then to follow her up afterwards, and I know that lots and lots of mothers really want that sort of care."

She continued: "Nearly all my mums say they've had so much different advice given to them as to the care of their baby, once their baby is born, and I think that would be really helpful to have that same person on with the mother once the baby is born."

Rachel Waddilove also commented that mums with any risk of birth complications need to be in hospital surrounded by the appropriate practitioners and equipment.

She said: "With safety that's paramount isn't it? And if there's any sort of a risk at all then mum needs to be in hospital - but having said that if everything's normal and mum's doing fine then a home-birth can be lovely."

Listen to Premier's Aaron James speak to Rachel Waddilove here:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate