'˜Sheffield must have a midwife-led birthing centre'

Every other big city in the UK has a stand-alone midwife-led birth centre – with Leeds in the process of getting one – and Sheffield’s branch of the Association of Radical Midwives (ARM) say Sheffield should have one.

The group is backing a proposal to build a birth centre – a midwifery-run unit without the medical facilities of a hospital - in Sheffield. Sheffield ARM want to follow places like Dewsbury and Solihull and claim the centres save the NHS money in the long-term.

The group, comprising professors and midwives, propose the construction of a birth centre to provide ‘choice and improve outcomes’ for low-risk women. They say a unit of this kind will be the ‘perfect go between’ for mothers who do not want a home birth or to give birth in hospitals. Phoebe Palloti, former Sheffield midwife and now associate professor of midwifery at Nottingham University, said benefits of a stand-alone birthing centre were ‘overwhelming’.

She added: “The statistics tell us women with low-risk births benefit the most from a centre like this. These places are more comfortable, relaxing and it completely removes the clinical feel of a hospital. Every big city in the UK has one and Leeds are in the process of getting one. Sheffield will soon stick out like a sore thumb. A city of this size should have one.”

Campaigners say such a centre in Sheffield would bring a reduction in labour interventions, caesarean sections, would improve the birth experience for women and families and increase job satisfaction for midwives.

Rachael Gardner, founder of Sheffield charity Forging Families, said: “Having a birth centre would be absolutely fantastic in Sheffield.”

Dr David Throssell, medical director, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We currently have a midwifery led birthing unit which is located within the Jessops Wing as well as a service for women who wish to give birth in their own home.

“These services are for women who are fit and healthy and carry their pregnancy to term.

“For women with more complex needs or those who experience preterm birth, care is provided by a team of professionals on the consultant-led birthing unit which is also located with the Jessop Wing.

“Having the two units together under one roof is beneficial for women, as specialist care and equipment is readily available.”