Midwife led delivery is safer than a labour ward for low risk pregnancies, says NICE guidance

Giving birth in a midwife led birthing unit or at home with the support of a midwife is safer than giving birth in a traditional hospital ward for women with straightforward, low risk pregnancies, an updated guideline from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has said.

It added that a home birth is as safe for the baby as delivery in a midwife led unit or in a traditional labour ward under the supervision of obstetricians, provided the mother has a low risk pregnancy and has had at least one child before.1

The guideline said that women should be given information on …