MIDWIVES at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) are encouraging more women in the borough to give birth at home.

An event has been organised at Westfield Start Well Centre in Wigan on Monday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm where community housewives will be on hand to answer questions about home births and ease any fears about them.

Recent figures show that just two percent of women in the country opt for a home birth.

WWL community midwife Maxine Guy said: “It is always a privilege to assist at the birth of a newborn and to help facilitate a positive birth experience.

“As a community midwife it is wonderful to provide one-to-one care in the comfort of the women’s home environment and we are doing lots to promote and raising awareness of home birthing as an option for most women.

“Evidence tells us that the home, for low risk women and for those having a second or third baby in particular, is the safest place to birth your baby and as a trust we are actively supporting giving women the choice.”

Mum-of-two Rachel Singleton has recently had a home birth.

She gave birth to her second child Beau in February after being assisted by Maxine, community midwife Claire Roff and third year student midwives Danielle Irving and Sarah Hill.

Rachel said: “I had a natural birth in hospital with my first baby and it went extremely well so there was no reason I could not consider a home birth for my second.

“I also had a water birth with my first so it was important to me to have one again, and a home birth was the only way I could guarantee that this would be possible.

“Immediately after I gave birth we went into the living room and were passed the baby and had our first feed on our couch.

"We were all comfy and cosy and it was lovely to have all our family together in our own home.

“We have been lucky enough to experience both a hospital and home birth and both were great in their own ways but I really would advise anyone thinking of having a home birth to go for it.

“It was a really positive experience for us.”

The arrival of Beau was student midwife Danielle Irving's first experience of handling a home birth.

She said: “When my mentor and I were called to Rachel and Mark’s home I was full of excitement and anticipation to be able to be part of this wonderful experience.

“Rachel was absolutely amazing and I was left in awe of this beautiful birth and it was a moment I will never forget.”

Rachel and Beau recently visited the maternity ward at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan to catch up with the staff that helped to deliver her son.

Rachel added: “It was really funny seeing everyone again.

"Beau is growing fast so they were surprised at how big he has become.

“They were all cooing over him and it was lovely to see them all happy and smiling and doing such a wonderful job."