Stroud Maternity Unit is under threat because of a 40m NHSdeficit in Gloucestershire. And midwives say the closure could beanother blow to the Government's promise to give all women a choice ofwhere to give birth by 2009.
In the last two years, 15 birthing centres across the UK have beenclosed or put under threat of closure, according to the NationalChildbirth Trust.
Unlike hospital maternity units, the focus in birthing centres is awayfrom equipment, intervention and surveillance, and on the birth being asnatural as possible.
Midwives, who run these units, say this approach can help women andbabies to bond, breastfeed, reduce the chance of a caesarean birth andincrease confidence about motherhood.
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