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By Jamie Buchan

Published: 14/02/2009

A pioneering support group which offers advice and help to expectant mothers who want to give birth at home is poised for expansion.

The group was launched just after new year by Peterhead mums Amber Sebold and Charlie Paris. They hoped to give women in the north-east more informed choices about where they want their babies born.

The Homebirth Support Group, the first of its kind in the north of Scotland, has met twice at Peterhead since January and has already attracted mothers and mothers-to-be from as far afield as Banchory and Fraserburgh.

Now the group, which has won the backing of NHS Grampian, hopes to launch a new support service in Aberdeen, while keeping the Peterhead branch running.

It is hoped that funding can be secured to open a lending library.

Mother-of-two Miss Paris said: “We’re really pleased with how successful the group has been in the space of just a few weeks.

“People have been coming from all over the north-east, even despite the awful weather.

“We are now looking at setting up regular meetings in Aberdeen to try to include even more people.”

The 24-year-old, who stays at Prunier Drive with partner Jereon Raemakers, was advised against a home birth when she was pregnant with Ruben, now 18 months old.

She used natal hypnotherapy for a pain free birth. After she was examined by a midwife at her home, it was agreed that she was not in full-blown labour and the midwife went home.

Ms Paris ended up giving birth to Ruben on her hall landing with the help of her partner. She stressed she was very happy with the service provided by midwives in Peterhead.

Mrs Sebold moved to Scotland from Missouri in America, where – until recently – it was illegal for midwives to deliver children.

Mother to three-year-old Calvin and Corah, aged four, she is now planning her first home birth in May.

A date has yet to be set for the launch of the service in Aberdeen.

The group meets at Peterhead Hospital’s maternity unit on the second Tuesday of each month at 6.30pm.

For more details about the group visit www.bebo.com/grampian homebirth

Tags : Homebirth UK
Categories : Homebirth UK