Throughout human history, throughout the world, the majority of babies have been born at home. In the last few decades however, in many countries, hospital birth has been promoted as being “best”. So is hospital birth best? This is a question I discuss frequently in the UK, and it has been an increasing concern for me in Malawi. Since 2012…
Reflecting on optimal fetal positioning and mechanisms of birth. Explores the different experiences working in England and in Malawi
It’s been an interesting and educational week for me working as a midwife in Malawi. I have been working in Chintheche district hospital, finding out about how maternity services are organised and delivered. The hospital is even busier than I had heard. They see around 160 admissions each month to the delivery ward, of whom about 20-30% are transferred to…
My first impressions of Malawi
If you are thinking about where your baby will be born, have you thought about a homebirth with a private midwife? The NHS midwifery teams in Sussex (University Hospitals Sussex, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells and East Sussex Healthcare all aim to support homebirths, but all are facing significant staffing issues. They will aim to support anyone…