Grantham family donates inflatable birthing pool

A Grantham family has donated a birthing pool to a local group so that other mums can enjoy the benefits of a home birth.

The inflatable pool was donated by Jodi Carter and her family to the Home Birth Group at Belton Lane Children’s Centre.

The group will hire out the pool to expectant mums who want to have a home birth using the pool.

Jodi, who gave birth to her son Milo in the pool at the end of April, donated the pool at a meeting of the group together with her husband Luke, and their daughter Annalise.

Jodi said: “I’m really glad I had a home birth. It’s much more personal.”

Community midwife coordinator Paula Izod said that 5.5 per cent of births in the Grantham and Sleaford areas were home births, a much higher figure that the national average of two per cent.

Paula said: “It’s all down to the midwives who are passionate about it. Having a home birth is such a nice experience.”

Another Grantham mum at the meeting, Sharon, has just had her fifth home birth. She said: “I prefer that personal touch and I feel more in control. The midwives are very encouraging and really supportive.”