Most mums would want to give birth in their own familiar surroundings.

The opportunity of having your child at home is appealing, although many mums also draw comfort from giving birth in hospital in case of medical intervention is required.

Under new plans from Nice (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) healthy women experiencing a straightforward pregnancy should be encouraged to give birth in a midwife-led unit rather than a traditional labour ward.

It also provisionally says that a home birth could be as safe as hospital for low-risk pregnant women who have already had at least one child, and that midwives should discuss all options with women in their care.

Ruth Weston, who spoke at the Northern launch conference in Bradford in 2012 for the Government-funded project, The Birth Place Study, based on 65,000 births nationwide and which contributed to the Nice guidance, welcomed the proposals.

Ruth, who also runs birth pool specialists Aquabirths, and the Choices and Childbirth network in West Yorkshire, says that if a low-risk woman goes into hospital to have a baby, the chance of her having a normal birth is 57 per cent whereas a low-risk mum who has booked a home birth has an 87 per cent chance of having a normal birth. “Which is a massive difference,” says Ruth.

“I think these figures speak for themselves that this is basically giving women information so they can make healthy choices.

“This is saying if you are a healthy woman who is low risk, the safest place for you to have your baby is at home or in a freestanding (midwifery) unit.”

Julie Walker, head of midwifery at Bradford Royal Infirmary – home to a £1.2 million birthing centre run alongside the hospital’s labour ward, sees first-hand the benefits of their facilities which, she says, offer mums the best of both worlds.

Those with a low-risk pregnancy are able to give birth in the midwife unit, while those with higher-risk pregnancies benefit from an on-hand expert medical team.

In the first year the centre opened there were 1,600 births, and Julie predicts an increase this year. “We feel that is a big achievement and the feedback is brilliant,” adds Julie.

She says one of the areas they have always concentrated on is trying to give women as much choice and information as possible, and she believes the new guidance will help achieve that.

“I think one of the most important things in giving birth, generally, is safety,” says Julie.

Jess Robinson, mum to three boys aged five, three and one, says: “As I understand, for women with a straightforward pregnancy and no adverse medical history, outcomes in midwife-led units or at home are as good if not slightly better than in a hospital environment. I think more women being offered the choice is a great thing.

“However, where there have been complications during the pregnancy or in the mother’s past medical history, I think a hospital is the safest place. I really believe that the safety of mum and baby must be put ahead of dreams of a perfect birth.”

Jess, who set up Moormums.co.

uk, a parenting website covering Ilkley Moor and the surrounding areas which attracts 8,000 visitors monthly, says she desperately wanted a water birth but was advised against this by the consultant.

“I was all ready to put up a fight but my partner talked me out of it. I am so glad that he did because in both cases, there were issues with the baby's heartbeat (which were only picked up because I was on continuous monitoring) and the medical team were called in. They arrived within minutes and, thankfully, both my boys were born fit and healthy.”

Netmums founder Siobhan Freegard says: “Many women with low-risk pregnancies do prefer to give birth in a midwife-led unit or at home, as they feel the birth experience is more intimate and less medicalised. However women must always be given the full facts and ensure they are aware of the risks before making an informed decision which is right for them and their family.

“Also, women who want a consultant-led birth should still be entitled to one. The new policy shouldn’t be an excuse to cut costs and corners and make mums have a cheaper birth.”

Christine Carson, clinical guideline programme director for Nice, says: “Since we published our original guidance, more evidence has come to light about the benefits and risks associated with giving birth at home, in an independent or hospital-based midwife-led unit and on a traditional labour ward.

“We now know that these units are as safe as traditional labour wards for all low-risk pregnant women and are more likely to result in a better birth experience with less medical interventions.

“The evidence also highlights that home births are just as safe as other settings for low-risk pregnant women who already have at least one child, but not for women expecting their first baby.

“However, every woman should ultimately have the freedom to choose where she wants to give birth and be supported in her choice.”