But in some areas, like the East Midlands, the figure is at an alarming 25 percent hike for the same period. The growing gap between birthing women and midwives indicates the inability of the government to fulfill its promise that by 2009 every woman in the U.K. must have one midwife throughout her pregnancy. And that every pregnant woman should be given the choice to deliver at home or in the hospital.
The situation is expected to worsen as many midwives are set to retire over the next 10 years, said Norman Lamb, Shadow Health Secretary. In contrast, births are rising in Britain, up by 12.5 percent to over 635,000 in 2005 from 565,000 in 2001; while the increase in number of midwives was just by 4.5 percent to over 18,800 in 2006 from 18,000 in 1997.
The problem at U.K. maternity units does not stop at the number of births and deliverers. Outmoded birth practices are still in place despite amended guidelines recently issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
In particular, birthing women were supposed to squat and not lie down while delivering their babies. But 57 percent of 26,000 women who gave birth in January and February said they gave birth while on their backs. Another 25 percent said they had their legs in stirrups while giving birth.
