Kingston’s Homebirth team is celebrating excellent outcomes for families choosing to give birth at home, with new figures showing a homebirth rate almost double the national average.

Between January and June 2026, the team cared for 54 women in established labour at home, with 23% of homebirths to first-time mothers. The service's homebirth rate was 3.2% (Kingston area) compared with the England and Wales average of 1.7% (2024).

The latest data also highlights strong outcomes for newborns, with no babies requiring resuscitation at home and 100% of babies being breastfed immediately after birth.

The specialist team supports women throughout pregnancy, labour and birth, helping families make informed choices about where they would like to give birth. The recent figures show that 62% of women who gave birth at home already knew the midwife caring for them during labour, demonstrating the team's commitment to personalised and continuity-based care.

Marion Louki, Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of Midwifery, said: “We are incredibly proud of the positive outcomes achieved by our Homebirth team and the care they provide to local families. Every family's journey is unique, and we are committed to offering personalised, high-quality care that helps people feel informed, supported and empowered throughout pregnancy and birth. These outcomes reflect both the dedication of our midwives and the trust that families place in our service."

The Homebirth team supports families across Kingston, Richmond, and local boroughs, who are interested in exploring homebirth as one of their birth options. Women can discuss their preferences with their midwife at any stage of pregnancy.

Find out more about the team on our Homebirth page.