Abstract
COVID-19 has significantly impacted all aspects of maternity services in the United Kingdom, exacerbating the fact that choice is insufficiently centred within the maternity regime. In this article, we focus on the restrictions placed on homebirthing services by some National Health Service Trusts in response to the virus. In March 2020, around a third of Trusts implemented blanket policies suspending their entire homebirth service. We argue that the failure to protect choice about place of birth during the pandemic may not only be harmful to birthing people’s physical and mental health, but also that it is legally problematic as it may, in some instances, breach human rights obligations. We also voice concerns about the possibility that in the absence of available homebirthing services people might choose to freebirth. While freebirthing (birthing absent any medical or midwifery support) is not innately problematic, it is concerning that people may feel forced to opt for this.
Highlights
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people preparing to birth[1] in the United Kingdom (UK)
We argue that blanket removal of homebirthing services during the COVID-19 pandemic has been inappropriate because of the significant impact that limiting these services has on individuals
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all aspects of medical care in the UK, and the maternity services have been no different
Summary
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people preparing to birth[1] in the United Kingdom (UK). We consider why COVID-19 may have potentially led to an increase in demand for homebirth, and we argue for the importance of a choice about place of birth for a pregnant person’s health and well-being. We consider the response of NHS Trusts to the potential increased demand for homebirthing during the pandemic We assess this response arguing that removing choice has and will continue to have a significant impact on pregnant people’s health and well-being and may potentially be a breach of the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). While homebirthing is becoming available in some parts of the country where it has not been for some months, it remains crucial that the potential impact of the denial of this service may have had on pregnant people is investigated This is important to reflect on in advance of a potential second or third wave of the virus
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