Susie's Comment

I chose to have an independent midwife during my first pregnancy as I wanted to have the same midwife throughout my antenatal care and the delivery of my baby girl (now 20 months). I also wanted to have a home birth, which cannot always be guaranteed under the NHS due to the shortage of midwives. My experience of pregnancy and birth has been so so positive. I felt empowered and fully informed of all my choices. However, what was even more important for me was that I felt safe, relaxed and calm at all times by having a close relationship with my independent midwife. I feel very strongly that this helped me to have a healthy and happy pregnancy and birth. I am pregnant again (another baby girl due in June 2007) and I have chosen to have the same independent midwife. I feel angered that the Government\'s proposal to enforce professional indemnity insurance (PII) could prevent independent midwives from practicing. Independent midwives provide an outstanding service for women, babies and families. Women should have the right to choose the type of care they have during their pregnancy and the weeks following the birth of their child. I was fully informed during my first meeting with my midwife that she did not have PII and my husband and I made an informed decision to go ahead despite this. I have written a letter to my local MP and copied it to many other significant people. I have received a lot of replies supporting this campaign. I would really urge women to write to their local MPs. It feels good to be able to contribute to the campaign by writing letters and signing the petition. The loss of independent midwives would be a real catastrophe and the Government should listen to our views. (previous and current client of independent midwife)