Thurrock mums-to-be who are planning home births will not be stopped from doing so because of the Covid-19 crisis, it has been confirmed.

Home birthing services in Essex will continue as normal, according to Mid and South Essex NHS

hospitals.

The news comes at the same time trusts in London and elsewhere in the South East warn that they cannot support home births due to high levels of demand for ambulance services for Covid-19 patients.

London's ambulance service is asking hospital maternity teams and parents-to-be to reconsider their home birth plans.

The Royal Free London has suspended home birth services. Home birth services have also been suspended in parts of Kent, Sussex and much of Surrey.

But the Mid and South Essex Trust says its three hospitals "are continuing to provide home births to expectant mothers", a spokesperson has said.