Border Home Birth Support

05/04/2026

04/04/2026

A study in 2020, by Hutton, looked at the maternal outcomes and birth interventions in women planning to birth at home versus hospital. This study found that intending to birth at home 30% fewer reporting postpartum haemorrhage. Surprising right? Because many people think birthing in hospital is safest! But in reality, birthing at home reduces chances of many interventions. The study also found birthing at home were:

40% less likely to give birth by caesarean section
>50% less likely to have an instrumental vaginal birth
70% less likely to use epidural
55% less likely to have an episiotomy
>40% less likely to experience a 3rd or 4th degree perineal tear >60% less likely to receive oxytocin augmentation of labour
>75% fewer reporting maternal infection

Have you considered a home birth, or did you dismiss the idea out of hand straight away? Check out my home birth myth busting guide to find out the FACTS around home birth! Link is in my bio.

25/03/2026

We have a mum due at the end of the year planning her first homebirth 😍🥰 she is looking for a doula - please tag doulas in the Borders below 😊

19/03/2026

19/03/2026

"Dear Heads of Midwifery,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing on behalf of our home birth support group to seek clarification regarding the current suspension of home birth services within NHS Borders.

We understand that service pressures can necessitate difficult decisions, and we appreciate the ongoing efforts of your team to provide safe and effective maternity care. However, we are keen to better understand the current situation and its implications for women and families who had been planning a home birth.

In particular, we would be grateful if you could provide information on the following:

- The reasons for the current suspension of home birth services
- Whether there is a projected timeline for reinstatement
- What support is being offered to women who had planned a home birth
- How informed choice is being maintained during this period
- Whether any interim options (such as continuity of carer, enhanced birth centre support, or community-based care) are being provided

Our group supports a number of women who feel strongly about their birth choices, and we are committed to ensuring they have access to clear information and appropriate support during this time.

We would very much welcome any updates you are able to share, and we are happy to engage constructively in supporting communication between services and service users.

Thank you for your time and for the care your team continues to provide.

Kind regards,
Gemma Gotterson
On behalf of Border Home Birth Support"

Sent 19th March 2026 at 1023.

02/03/2026

02/03/2026

How lovely! Would something like this be of interest in the Borders?? 🤔

08/12/2025

Welcome to our November babies 🤰🏻🤱🏻👶🏼

22/11/2025

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