Birthplace decisions Information for pregnant women and partners on planning where to give birth

Resources

Further information and resources

This guide is intended to help you think about where to give birth. It may have raised new questions for you; please talk to your midwife or obstetrician about these. Below are some additional resources which you may also find useful. There may be other organisations and services operating in your local area, you can ask your midwife about what else is available.

NHS Inform Ready Steady Baby: https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby

Your guide to pregnancy, labour and birth and early parenthood up to 8 weeks.

National Childbirth Trust: www.nct.org.uk

Find out about antenatal classes and about ‘the first 1,000 days’ of parenthood.

National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit: https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/

The National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit’s UK Midwifery Study System has produced information resources based on national research to help women make an informed choice about place of birth:

BMI over 35 and thinking about birth in an Alongside Midwifery Unit?

Diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM) and thinking about birth in a midwifery unit (MU)?

Previous Postpartum Haemorrhage and Thinking about Birth in a Midwifery Unit?

Birthrights: www.birthrights.org.uk

An organisation which campaigns to support human rights during birth.

If you don’t feel they have been listened to, or you haven’t had a chance to talk about where to give birth, try talking to your midwife first. If you still have questions, ask to speak to a consultant midwife, the senior charge midwife, your consultant obstetrician if you have one, or to the Head of Midwifery at your NHS Health Board.

Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities: https://www.gov.scot/publications/charter-patient-rights-responsibilities-revised-june-2022/documents/

The Charter summarises what you’re entitled to when you use NHS service and receive NHS care in Scotland. It also covers what you can do if you feel that your rights have not been respected.

The Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/

A charity which supports parents who have experienced birth trauma and aim to improve parents’ experience of birth.

La Leche League GB: https://laleche.org.uk/birth-breastfeeding/#Birth

An organisation that provides breastfeeding support, including antenatal education.

Young Patients Family Fund: If you are the parent/primary carer of a hospital inpatient under the age of 18 then you could be entitled to help to cover the cost of hospital visits. https://www.mygov.scot/young-patients-family-fund

Maternity Voices Partnerships act as a voice for the people who use maternity services. Speak to your midwife to find out if your local area has one.

Neonatal Units in Scotland

The Scottish Perinatal Network have a webpage where you can find out more about the different Neonatal Units in Scotland. The webpage has links to all the units, which you can follow to find out more about what is available in your area: Neonatal Units - Scottish Perinatal Network

Sources

This booklet uses findings from the ‘Birthplace in England’ programme of research. More information including published papers and summaries of findings can be found at: www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/birthplace

The booklet also contains advice found in the revised NICE guideline: ‘Intrapartum Care: Care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth Clinical Guideline 235 NICE September 2023’. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng235

Acknowledgements

This guide was co-produced by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland and is based on information produced by Kirstie Coxon, King’s College London.

An Equality Impact Assessment has been produced to accompany this publication.