More than 800,000 babies are born in the UK every year but just 2.3% of these are home births, writes Cheryl Opimo-Fisher.
It is interesting to note some areas of the country have noticeably higher homebirth rates, such west Somerset and Bridgend, Wales, which both exceed 9%.
In Hillingdon we have seen a more modest increase from 0.2% -1.8% since the introduction of a dedicated team last September indicating women's interest in homebirth if greater choice and support is available.
The question is why homebirths aren't more popular when hospital deliveries are a relatively recent practice?
The main reason is probably clinician's practising defensively and trying to minimise risk and maximise safety, even when the risk is negligible.
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