It’s been a whirlwind of a year so far, with Covid restrictions and the temporary suspension of the team having a impact on this half years statistics.

83 clients were cared for within our caseload during this period. This includes those clients who were impacted by the temporary suspension of the team due to covid.

Out of these 83 clients, 89% of their babies were breastfeeding or receiving breastmilk at discharge to the health visitors.

52 of these clients changed their planned place of birth prior to the start of active labour – 25 of these were due to the covid suspension. Of these 25 Mums, 14 were still cared for by the team at The Royal Surrey. Additionally we have seen a change from a midwifery led caseload to a mixed caseload with a higher number of clients (24%) joining the caseload having consultant input in their pregnancies.

31 clients from the total caseload were still intending to birth their babies at home at the start of active labour. Of these mothers, 100% had vaginal births, and 84% were cared for by a midwife they knew.

Of these 31 mothers who started labour at home:

5 required transfer in labour, 3 required postnatal transfer (Transfer rate of 26%).

76% had physiological third stages with optimal cord clamping

58% of the births that occurred at home, happened in the pool. A further 10% of clients who laboured at home used the pool for pain relief.

If you would like to learn more about the team and birthing your baby at home, and you live within the team’s catchment https://surreyhillshomebirth.org/about/

Contact us for a one to one chat: rsch.homebirth.referrals@nhs.net