A NEW home birth service has started in Somerset, giving mums-to-be a greater chance of having their baby at home.

The Orchard Midwives are a specialist team who will be on hand to support home and low-risk births at the Mary Stanley Birthing Unit at Bridgwater Community Hospital and the Bracken Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital.

The team of seven midwives will care for women during their pregnancy and will be on call for women’s labour no matter what time of day or night.

Joanne Hayward, maternity matron at Musgrove, said: “Women having a normal straightforward pregnancy have a much greater chance of a natural birth if they choose a planned birth at home or in a birthing centre. It is the best place to give birth.”

Expectant mothers will have the chance to meet each other and the rest of the Orchard team during their pregnancy. And the care will continue past labour, too, with routine antenatal care taking place at times and locations convenient to the mothers such as at home or a birthing centre.

To find out more about a home birth or the Orchard Midwives team, email [email protected]. uk or speak to a community midwife.