WOMEN’S choices when it comes to giving birth are set to be reduced under new EU legislation which could mean independent midwives are unable to work in the UK.

Independent Midwives are fully qualified professionals, who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council register, but work independently of the NHS.

In October 2013, an EU Directive is due to make Professional Indemnity Insurance mandatory for all healthcare professionals in the UK. Midwives practising independently are currently unable to get affordable indemnity cover. If a solution is not found, then it will not be an option for women to pay for independent midwifery in the UK.

Lili la Scala is angered by the news that independent midwives might not be available to women.

She gave birth to her son Rafferty at her home in Westcliff with her husband Sam Wills and two independent midwives, Mal Soomessur and Jacqui Tomkins, to guide her.

She believes it is an outrage that women might not have the same options available to them.

Lili says: “I feel incredibly sad and angry that this choice is being taken away from women.

“We should have the right to choose to have an alternative to the NHS if we want it.

“I was able to have an incredible drug free birth at home with my husband Sam. “I believe we got the birth we wanted because we chose to have an independent midwife. Something should be done to safeguard them in the UK.”

Lili feels many women may not realise the implications of the October changes.

She says: “Many women may not have even heard of an independent midwife, just as we didn’t until we started to research different birth options.

“They are usually midwives who have had a career in the NHS and who are extremely knowledgable and experienced.” Lili had a positive birth with her son Rafferty.

She says: “I laboured for 14 hours and through most of it I was very relaxed. After six or seven hours I was tired and emotional but Mal and Jacqui talked me through it and I managed to get through it without any drugs. The actual birth was so focused and incredible, really life changing.”

Lili was thrilled with the way she was looked after in labour.

She says: “It was exactly as we had planned it. Afterwards, we were elated to be able to be in our own home and completely relaxed.”

It cost Lili and Sam £4,500 to have independent midwives.

She says: “I would have remortgaged my house if it had come to it because it was so important to us to have the birth we wanted. I think every woman deserves to have the same choice if they want it.”

To sign the petition to save independent midwives, visit epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/44382