Home births surge as mothers choose to avoid hospitals because of coronavirus - but experts say women could be putting themselves at even greater risk
- More Australian mothers are choosing to give birth at home instead of hospitals
- Tough social distancing measures are part of the reason behind the change
- Experts raised their concerns that women may be putting themselves at risk
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
An increasing number of Australian mothers are choosing to give birth at home instead of hospitals amid the coronavirus panademic.
Tough social distancing measures and fears of contracting the deadly illness have been the driving force behind the sudden spike in the number of homebirths over the past two months.
However, experts have raised their concerns that women may be putting themselves at risk.
Brisbane mother Sammy Stokes is among the growing group of women turning away from hospitals to give birth.
Brisbane mother Sammy Stokes is among the growing group of women turning away from hospitals to give birth
Sammy Stokes, her partner Andy and their nine-days old baby girl Sunny pose for photos at their home in Kallangur, north of Brisbane, Tuesday
The 29-year-old was told if her partner Andy had a temperature, she would have to give birth in the suite alone.
'That did not sit right with me,' she said.
Ms Stokes opted for a home birth, which would allow her husband and family to be present with the midwives.
'We only had four weeks to prepare but everything went to plan,' she said.
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She gave birth to her daughter Sunny on April 25.
'Sunny came out with lots of hair and a big set of lungs. She is perfect,' Ms Stokes said.
My Midwives managing director Liz Wilkes told 2GB the number of homebirth requests had gone from about 4 per cent to about 25 per cent.
But she warned that home birth is not for everyone.
'There are certainly women for whom making the decision to have a baby at home would be a very poor decision.
Ms Stokes opted for a home birth, which would allow her husband and family to be present with the midwives
'It’s fascinating to me that women are making this change in these vast numbers, because it’s certainly not something we would push.'
She said changes to the maternity ward procedures to protect staff and patients from the disease was also leaving women very worried about potentially losing control of their births.
Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union assistant secretary Sandra Eales said she was not surprised by the increase in home births.
'It is entirely understandable that women would want to remain safely in place in their own environment and bring whatever help they need into their home,' she said.
It allows women to have the support network they forged during pregnancy present while they give birth, which may not have been possible in hospitals due to social distancing regulations.
'It is a sensible approach to keeping women and their families well during COVID-19 times,' Ms Eales said.
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