Homebirth Resources and Local Assistance
Support Organisations
Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS)
The place to go for emotional support and encouragement as well as information about choices and rights.
AIMS Helpline - 0300 365 0663
Chair: Beverley Lawrence Beech
Email: helpline@aims.org.uk
Address: 5 Ann’s Court, Grove Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 4BE
Website: www.aims.org.uk
The Association of Radical Midwives (ARM)
Set up by midwives in the UK committed to improving maternity care in the NHS. They offer support and information to those having difficulty getting or giving good, personalised midwifery care.
Address: 16 Wytham Street, Oxford, OX1 4SU
Tel (Helpline): 01865 248159
Website: www.radmid.demon.co.uk
Websites
Homebirth Reference Site
www.homebirth.org.uk
Offers research-based information and support on all aspects of homebirth. There are also many inspiring homebirth stories.
Yahoo egroups
UK Home Birth Mailing List http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homebirthuk
A home birth support group by email - this list is for anyone interested in home birth in the UK.
Homebirth Support Groups http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/hbsupportgroups
A group for anyone who wishes to set up a homebirth support group, or those already running them to swap ideas and pass on tips to new groups.
Sheffield Homebirth Group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SheffieldHomeBirth
If you live in Sheffield and have an interest in homebirth then join this online group.
Books
The Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS) have an excellent selection of homebirth related books and journals that you can buy online at www.aims.org.uk.
Local Assistance
Birth Doula
Michelle Barnes, Kate Marston and Olivia Lester are Sheffield Birth Doulas, passionate about supporting women to have a life enhancing birth experience. We Offer information, reassurance, encouragement, emotional and practical support throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and post-natally. For further details please visit the website www.sheffieldbirthdoula.com
Yoga and Active Birth
Olivia Lester completed her 3 year apprenticeship and training as an Active Birth Teacher in 1997. Since then she has established her classes and workshops in the South Yorkshire area. Working with women and their birthing partners to support and nurture a trust in the process of labour and birth. With a focus on the emotional, physical and practical preparation for birth the classes enable women to feel positive about birth. For further information Tel: (0114) 2678 948 or visit website: www.yogabirthsheffield.co.uk