MATERNITY UNIT: Research shows that mothers feel more relaxed and in control when they give birth at home or in a small midwife-led unit.

Yet health bosses in North Wiltshire want to close a local unit, which women have often praised for its homely feeling. BHAVANI VADDE reports

A small maternity unit in Malmesbury is facing closure unless more mothers choose to have their babies there.

The midwife-run Malmesbury Maternity Unit is run by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust.

The Trust wants to close the unit and transfer women to the Chippenham Maternity Unit, and is currently undertaking a public consultation on the proposals.

According to the National Childbirth Trust, women feel more relaxed and in control when they give birth either at home or in a smaller midwife-led unit.

Mums-to-be in Swindon are meant to be given the different birthing options when they meet with their community midwives.

But the chairman of the Swindon branch of the NCT, Liz Austin, says mothers are not getting the full information as they are only told of the choice between having a home birth or one in hospital.

The third option having the baby in the Malmesbury unit is often not discussed, says Liz. She believes that if more Swindon mums made use of the unit, it could possibly ensure its survival.

Liz, 35, received post natal care at Malmesbury after the birth of her son, Harry, two.

She said: "We are campaigning for more information to be given to Swindon mums.

"The Malmesbury unit has a relaxed atmosphere so it doesn't feel like a hospital but you will get more support than in your own home.

"Some people do need to go to hospital if there is a high risk for them, like if the baby is small or has a medical problem.

"But if it is your second or third baby and you have had no problems then you are probably low risk and could go to one of these units."

The Malmesbury unit has five beds with around 10 midwives ensuring more one to one care.

Women have said they value the homely atmosphere, like having their own room from the moment they arrive and having the freedom to move around during labour.

They can receive pain relief in the form of gas and air or pethidine, but stronger drugs are not available.

Mums can go to Malmesbury for postnatal care as Liz did even if they have given birth elsewhere. She gave birth at the former Princess Margaret Hospital but transferred go to the midwife unit to get support for breast-feeding.

A growing number of mothers these days are are opting for a natural birth for their babies and many are choosing to have their babies at home.

Around 20 Swindon mothers found a home birth a more attractive alternative to going through labour in hospital last year, preferring the privacy of their own home to the technology available in a maternity ward.

Their babies were delivered by one of 29 community midwives based at the Great Western Hospital.

When a woman having a home birth goes into labour, she rings the hospital and is attended by her community midwife, who has supported her from the start of her pregnancy.

When the woman is established in labour, a second midwife is called to assist.

Sylvia Bailey, community midwife manager, said fewer than one per cent of the 3,200 women who gave birth in Swindon opted to do so at home.

But she said that didn't mean midwives weren't outlining the choices.

"Midwives talk about home births when they go and see expectant mothers at home but there is not a big uptake.

"We would support any woman who wanted to give birth at home as long as it is a low risk pregnancy.

"It would be safer for women to give birth in hospital if they were having twins or triplet or if their baby has a medical problem.

"They both would need and deserve the best possible support in hospital."