New laws mean that from October midwives will not be able to register without proof of insurance.
At present there is no affordable insurance for Independent Midwives. Long story short means that it will be illegal to practice as an Independent Midwife.
This also has massive implications for all registered midwives, in particular linking registration through our professional body (NMC) and insurance.
Women who don't fit in with the standard NHS models of care will have no alternative. It is expected that numbers of women deciding to freebirth will increase.
I'm on my phone so can't do links but there is a protest organised at the Houses of Parliament on Monday March 25th under the banner of 'Choose your midwife; Choose your birth.
This issue is about choice. Women's birth choices and Midwife's work choices.
Is there any chance Mumsnet could lend their support to the campaign?