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Saturday 2 December 2023 Dublin: 2°C

# birth place

This year
2023
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Will home births ever be the norm in Ireland?
Editor Maria Delaney and researcher Soma Gregory tell Susan Daly about the many obstacles facing women who would prefer this option.
5.0k
6
Updated
Sep 20th 2023, 12:45 PM
'Maternal request' reason for over half elective C-sections in Holles Street last year
A report by
Maria Delaney
Nationally, the rates of C-sections and inductions continue to rise year-on-year.
Investigative platform Noteworthy examines the rise of medical interventions used during birth
Over 35% induced and over 36% had caesarean births in 2021
Experts are debating whether planned C-sections due to ‘maternal request’ are because of a women’s choice or clinician influence
'Unheard, belittled and made feel small': Women still battling for maternity care choice
Tide turning on water birth ban as Drogheda becomes third hospital to reinstate option
21.9k
20
Sep 2nd 2023, 12:05 AM
Growing number of unassisted births happening in Ireland, say birth experts
Previous birth trauma and limited maternity care choice can lead women to opt for a free birth.
16.0k
24
Sep 1st 2023, 6:00 AM
'Unheard, belittled and made feel small': Women still battling for maternity care choice
A report by
Maria Delaney
Noteworthy’s months-long investigation reveals inconsistent care and lack of choice leading to trauma and unnecessary medical interventions.
Over 20 women from all over Ireland spoke to our investigative team about their pregnancy and birth experiences
Despite some reform, women are still fighting to be heard, with many feeling that they are not in control of their care
Women are being treated differently due to local policies that impact how medicalised their birth will be
Rural home births may be restricted as HSE stands by 30-minute distance limit
Tide turning on water birth ban as Drogheda becomes third hospital to reinstate option
17.8k
41
Aug 31st 2023, 12:05 AM
Rural home births may be restricted as HSE stands by 30-minute distance limit
Noteworthy reveals this restriction was raised as ‘non-negotiable’ at a HSE meeting in March despite protestors feeling the issue was resolved last year.
12.2k
21
Aug 30th 2023, 6:00 AM
Tide turning on water birth ban as Drogheda becomes third hospital to reinstate option
A report by
Maria Delaney
Water births are used for pain relief during labour and birth across the world.
Investigative platform Noteworthy examines the gradual return of water births in Irish hospitals
The option was suspended in the late 2000s after a baby died in a hospital birthing pool
Water births remain banned for publicly funded home births
19.9k
10
Aug 29th 2023, 12:05 AM