MUMS giving birth in Bradford still prefer it to be a private affair rather than follow the new crowd-birthing phenomenon that is claimed to be sweeping Britain.

A poll of 2,000 mums has revealed more and more women are increasingly inviting their extended family and friends to join them in hospital with many venturing into the delivery room to give birthing partners a break.

For women in their teens and 20s, an average of eight people are now present at some point during the birth, according to the survey by video blogging site Channel Mum.

The results also showed that childbirth is becoming increasingly public with almost a quarter of mums sharing the experience through social media.

However, Julie Walker, head of midwifery at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said crowd-birthing was not a phenomenon yet seen in Bradford.

She said: "“Hospital guidance suggests that we usually have a maximum of two birthing partners present at the birth to support the mother.

"These guidelines are based on ensuring safety, privacy, dignity, space and what women have told us they prefer. If the mother has to go to theatre then she is generally accompanied by just one person.

"After the birth we will exercise discretion as sometimes there is a need to work around this standard, but ‘crowd-birthing’ is not a phenomenon that we have seen here in Bradford.”

It was a similar picture at Airedale Hospital at Steeton, near Keighley.

Mary Armitage, head of midwifery at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We discuss with our expectant mums their choices around birth throughout the antenatal period and suggest that only two birthing partners be present at the time of labour and delivery.

"This is make sure that we have the necessary space to deliver care efficiently and deal with any unexpected emergencies. However, our midwifery team does try to meet these patient’s individual needs and offer flexibility where possible.”

Siobhan Freegard, founder of Channel Mum said: "The younger generation share are used to sharing every aspect of their lives, so why not birth?

"Many women feel it is their biggest achievement and so want to share the moment with all of those closest to them.

“The crowd-birthing phenomenon may not suit everyone but being part of the birth is an honour and privilege which unites friends and family like nothing else.”

However, the desire to share every aspect of childbirth is leaving many women feeling under pressure to refuse pain relief for the fear of being judged, the survey found.

One in five women feel opting C-section would make them feel as though they had failed at giving birth.

Three in five believe birth that as birth becomes more social it is also becoming more competitive and 15 per cent feel under pressure from celebrities who have apparently sailed through labour.

Mother-in-laws are now the most popular birthing supporter after the mum's partner and mother, while one in 25 mums chose their dad to be present in the delivery room.

The growing numbers of hospital visitors is in stark contrast to women who gave birth several decades ago, when only one person was expected to accompany them to hospital.