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Birth options

Birth Options Conversations

The purpose of a Birth Options Conversation is to support you to make informed decisions about your labour and birth including your intended place of birth. At your appointment you will have the opportunity to speak with a senior midwife trained in trauma informed practice.

We are committed to creating a safe, respectful space where your voice is heard and valued.

We will listen to understand your physical, emotional, psychological and social needs. This is your time, and your voice matters.

We will offer to explain the evidence or guidance behind any recommendations we make. The criteria used to inform all recommendations about labour and birth, is based on clinical evidence as well as local and national guidance.

What you can expect:

  • We'll listen to you with care and respect.
  • We'll follow national and local guidance in making recommendations on the safest options for you and your baby.
  • We'll ensure you understand the reasons underlying our recommendations to enable you to make informed choices.
  • We can signpost you to other services or parts of our service if you agree they might be of benefit to you.
  • We can upload your birth plan to your maternity records (BadgerNet) at your request.
  • We can offer more than one conversation if you wish.


Making informed choices
We'll share clear, evidence-based information about the options we are able to offer or support (including the risks and benefits) so you can decide what's right for you.

We trust women to make informed decisions about the options available for their own care and want to work with you to ensure a safe and supported birth experience.

We can offer you a face-to-face conversation in person at St Michael's hospital, or a online Zoom/Teams call, or a telephone call. We'll confirm your preferred option when we contact you to schedule your conversation.

About midwife-led care
Many women wish to discuss midwife-led care. This is a type of care, not a care location. It can happen in:

  • The Midwife Led Unit (MLU)
  • The Central Delivery Suite (CDS)
  • Your home

Women who require obstetric led care still receive one-to-one care throughout labour from a midwife. We use specific obstetric and health criteria to decide who can safely give birth in the MLU. We'll talk through this with you if it's something you're considering.

Our maternity services work according to the NICE Guideline 1.4.3 Intrapartum care, Reference number:NG235, Published: 29 September 2023,
'All staff and organisations should ensure that all birth settings have a culture of respect for each woman as an individual undergoing a significant and emotionally intense life experience, so that the woman is in control, is listened to, her choices are supported, and she is cared for with compassion.'
Please note: We use the term 'women' inclusively to refer to all birthing people.

Booking a conversation
Ask your community midwife who will put you in touch with the Birth Options Conversations team to schedule a date and time which works for you. If you require an interpreter for your appointment, please let us know in advance and we can arrange this for you.