Gemma’s Comment
I am a third year student who is striving for normal labour to once again be NORMAL ! Keeping independent midwives is the best way of aiding this! (student midwife)

Andrea’s Comment
I totally support Independent Midwifery and I would like to see more help for them and no obstacles. (mother)

Deborah’s Comment
I have had Four home births with independent midwives and they have been the very best experiences of my life bar none.

This should be available to ALL women. When are the government going to wake up and realise that this is the way forward – they would save money a hundred times over. (VERY satisfied customer)

Linzi’s Comment
In June 2007 I had a natural, drug free homebirth with a local independent midwife and think that this choice should be open to all women.

I am also a co-ordinator for Newbury Homebirth group and am passionate about natural childbirth. (homebirthing mother)

Jane’s Comment
It is a real travesty that in today’s age of “More choice” that the choice to have an independent midwife may be taken away.

I had my second child at home with the support of an independent midwife. The whole experience was amazing.

I feel passionately that other women should have this choice too and would like to help. (mother)

Emily’s Comment
My two brothers and I were all born at home with the help of excellent midwives. My mum trusted the midwives implicitly and could therefore have uncomplicated and worry – free births.

When I have children I would love to be able to have them at home and with an independent midwife.

I think this is an excellent cause, and it would be a travesty if independent midwives were prevented from practising. (young woman planning to have children in the near future)

Diana’s Comment
I know 2 girls who have given birth in the local hospital within the past year. Both have been left with severe internal damage – the first had reconstructive surgery today. I am not aware that this ever happened when I had my children (between 1978 and 1987). My daughters are now 30 and 28.

I want to know that they will have proper choice and better care if they decide to have children.T

There seem to be endless rules now about what a pregnant woman can and cannot eat or do, but the birth experience itself has deteriorated beyond recognition since I had my children. (concerned mother)

Bronwen’s Comment
I had my first child three months ago at home with a wonderful independent midwife and I want to fight for the right of anyone to have the choice to take this path. I think it will make a serious mockery of the government’s commitment to choice if they block this option. (citizen and mother)