The Midwives: A Natural Choice

Series following the work of midwives at Birmingham Women's Hospital. This episode focuses on different methods of delivery. Midwife Maureen prefers to work on the birth centre where birthing pools, aromatherapy massage oils and 'a bit of witchcraft' are all on offer to help deliver babies as nature intended. Midwife Antoinette has tried the birth centre approach but much prefers the high tech no-nonsense environment of the delivery suite. For her it's about being prepared for anything, especially when you deal with high risk pregnancies where the situation can change in an instance, that's when you need the painkilling drugs and high-tech medical equipment to be readily on-hand. Giving birth in the midwife led birth centre is almost £200 cheaper for the NHS than having a baby in the more clinical delivery suite but not all mums are confident in making the 'natural' choice