We have all had a taste of restrictions on our day to day freedoms and liberties recently. Now imagine that you have informed yourself through researching the latest findings that staying at home and isolating with your family is the best way to wait this pandemic out, but, the government has made a ruling that everyone must spend all their time in a hospital – just in case we get sick! 

This is the situation that pregnant and labouring women found themselves in recently when the homebirth services were/are withdrawn while we live through the Coronavirus pandemic. We know that homebirth is a safe activity – we have the evidence – Lancet April 2020! 

The team discuss the frustrating issue of ritualistic behaviour and the unwillingness of the professions to listen to and support women.