Why I turned down an Interview with ITV News about home birth...

Last week, I was contacted by ITV News asking to record an interview answering the question:

“What are some of the reasons more women are choosing to give birth at home?”

they said they were looking at the 

“risks and realities of home births, why more women are choosing them and what steps families should take to ensure the experience is safe and properly supported” 

Initially, I was really excited about this opportunity, there is loads I could say on this subject from both a personal point of view - I birthed my second child at home - and a professional one regarding choice, support of choice and birth physiology and the current NHS maternity system. Plus I LOVE talking about birth.

However, the reason this question has been asked, is because the inquest into the tragic death of Mother Jennifer Cahill and her daughter Agnes after a planned home birth, is currently happening. I am so sorry to this family for their devastating losses. 

So, after initially agreeing to the interview, I decided to decline. 

If this question was being asked in genuine interest of home birth as an option for families it would feel different, but this felt like using a families tragic loss for professional gain - and that doesn’t sit well with me.

But it goes further than that. When I weighed up, the pros and cons, personally there were more cons than pros to doing this interview.

The pros were, yes, it was nice to be asked, and yes, clearly, it would give my business some publicity and I’d be able to put “as featured on ITV” on my website.

But aside from the ego stoke and publicity, when I asked myself “will this benefit my clients?” my conclusion was no. 

The lack of editorial control on the narrative and my words being cut up and taken out of context, to fit a time limit and without the bigger picture, care or nuance this subject needs and deserves was a risk.

When considering the question:

“what steps families should take to ensure the experience is safe and properly supported?” 

I personally think the real question that should be asked is...

“what steps can NHS maternity providers take to ensure families feel safe and properly supported during pregnancy and birth?” 

Because the safest place to birth your baby is where you feel safest. Be that at home or in hospital.

The reason people choose to birth at home is because home is where they feel safest. They understand birth physiology, they understand the environment birth requires to progress and they feel that home is where these things will be nurtured the most. These are all things that can be nurtured in hospital with understanding, careful planning and support.

Understanding where YOU feel safest is something that is deeply personal and requires time and individualised support to understand.

Sadly, the current landscape of the NHS maternity system is challenging - underfunded and understaffed and time stretched - limiting the opportunity for individualised, proven to improve outcomes, continuity of carer.

I feel for anyone about to birth their baby at the moment, I understand the fear that you maybe experiencing. 

I also understand the fear of the healthcare providers, the midwives and doctors. This subject is complex, and requires care, balance and nuance, which is why, I felt, it couldn’t be discussed or edited in a news interview lasting only a few minutes long.

As a doula & hypnobirthing teacher I spend hours helping clients prepare for birth, discussing the “risks and realities” of birth in all locations, deep diving into birth physiology and hormones, birth choices and environments, support systems, informed decisions and consent, all with the goal of understanding what feels right for you, as individuals. 

I provide a safe place for you to talk through your fears, your choices, offer evidence-based information and emotional support without judgement, wherever you decide to birth your baby, be that home or hospital.

I truly do hope that, following the recently announced inquiries, things will improve in maternity services. This will take time. Significant investment and radical change. I don’t claim to have the answers.

But what I can tell you is that birth is sacred, it is not simply the act of removing one human from another. Birth can break you down and rebuild you stronger that you ever thought possible.

I am proud of the support I offer, helping you feel centred and supported in your birth experience, wherever and however you birth your baby.

Much love,

Charlotte x

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If you'd like to talk about the doula support and hypnobirthing education I offer, book a free discovery call here.