Birth injury compensation and why the home birth rate is on the up

Fears over the hospital environment, a shortage of midwives and concerns about some hospitals' birth injury compensation records have led to growing numbers of women choosing to give birth at home.

In fact, the number of women choosing the home birth option has risen every year since 1988. At 4.1% of all births in the region, those in England's South-West are the most likely to home birth. Those living in the East are the second most likely to do so, with home births standing at around 3.8% of the total. The national average is 2.7%.

However, it is thought that the numbers would be much higher if all women were afforded the choice. Cathy Warwick, from the Royal College of Midwives, explains, "There are many women who want to give birth at home but do not get the chance, largely because there are simply not enough midwives out there to make that choice a reality."

Professor of obstetrics Andrew Shennan is clear about why he believes so many women prefer the home birth option, "Some hospitals can be pretty miserable, and the environment is often quite grim. Post-natal care in hospitals also gets criticised.

"There are also women who are anxious about infections and that is perfectly understandable.

"In the 70s and 80s there was this belief that home birth was somehow dangerous.

"There was a big push to hospitalise childbirth, because people would be surrounded by hi-tech equipment.

"People now realise that for women at low risk of complications, a home birth can be more appropriate."

And, while a home birth does not exclude the possibility of medical negligence or the need for birth injury compensation, if a woman feels more comfortable, statistics show she is more likely to have a happier birthing experience.

Birth injury claim lawyers
All mothers-to-be have a right to the highest level of care possible. They have a right to be listened to, cared for and have their choices informed and respected.

If you feel that the care you received in your hospital fell below an acceptable level and resulted in injury to you or your child, you may be able to claim compensation.

All the birth injury lawyers on our panel are governed by the Law Society and observe the stringent SRA Code of Conduct.

While, owing to the complexties of the this kind of case, certain costs and fees are sometimes unavoidable. However, you can be sure that we will warn you of any such costs in advance, ensure they are kept to a minimum and reimburse you in the event of your claim being a success.

To discuss your birth injury compensation claim with a legal advisor, call 0800 10 757 95.

Alternatively, fill out claim form or echat. You can rest assured your correspondence will be both obligation-free and in complete confidence.