WIRRAL mums-to-be can now be supported by a new team of midwives dedicated to women who choose to have their babies at home or at the new ‘pop up’ birth unit in Seacombe.

The latest addition to Wirral University Teaching Hospital’s community midwifery service, the ‘Highfield Birth Team’, named after the Highfield Maternity Hospital, consists of six community midwives who will provide a 24 hour service, seven days a week.

It will be the first of its kind in Cheshire and Merseyside.

This service is part of a local response to recommendations made by the National Maternity Review in 2016 called ‘Better Births’ to offer safer, personalised and family friendly maternity services.

Pregnant women will be able to develop relationships with just one or two named midwives over their pregnancy so that they have one-to-one care personalised to their needs.

Women under the care of the Highfield Birth Team will also be able to choose from a range of locations for the majority of their antenatal appointments such as a local clinic, at home or even at their place of work where appropriate.

Mary Magee, from Wallasey, has been a midwife for 17 years, she said: “As Community Midwives, we have a lot of experience between us and love what we do.

“Being part of a small team focusing solely on low-risk women having their baby at home or in the birthing centre will make it easier for us to get to know our patients, build trust and understand their needs.

“We are in a privileged position and find it very rewarding to support families to achieve their birthing ambitions.

“For healthy women with a low risk of complications, there can be many benefits to having a home birth.

“Being in a calm and relaxing environment can help labour to progress and the new ‘pop up’ birthing centre opening at the end of March has been designed to make women as comfortable as possible.

“With a pool, a birthing chair, bean bags and an adjustable birth bed it aims to provide a home from home environment for women who don’t want a home birth but would prefer to avoid the medical setting of a hospital.

“I am very excited about welcoming our first babies.”

If you are thinking about a home birth or would like to know more about having your baby at the new ‘pop up’ birthing centre opening in Seacombe, please ask your community midwife to refer you to the Highfield Birth Team.

You can also contact the team directly by emailing wuth.birthteam@nhs.net or by calling 0151 639 2221 during day time hours.

Alternatively, please leave a message on 0151 604 7682 and the team will be in touch as soon as possible.