Portsmouth app for expectant mothers to be used across area

An app developed by Portsmouth midwives and mothers is being expanded for use across the south of England.

My Birthplace gives mums-to-be and midwives information about local services to help them decide where they want to give birth.

The app has been used by thousands of women in the Portsmouth area since its inception in 2014, and now tens of thousands more are set to benefit.

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It will now be used by the six other trusts across the south of England, including Isle of Wight NHS Trust, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Gill Walton, director of midwifery, said: ‘It’s a very simple idea but it really does help women to make an informed decision about where would be best for them to have their baby.’

The app automatically picks up the user’s location, and then advises on different options, including consultant-led care, midwifery-led care including home births and maternity centres, for women who have low-risk pregnancies, and a link to an interactive map which highlights all of the available options.

Women then answer questions about their pregnancy, and are presented with pie-charts which highlight the most recent national statistics for options including home birth, midwifery units, and obstetric units.

The app lists the potential positives and drawbacks of each option, before asking women what their preference would be.

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