Home births cancelled at short notice due to Victoria’s ambulance crisis

The state's two publicly funded home-birth programs are suspended, with some expectant mothers not told until weeks before due dates

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Expectant mothers are having planned home births cancelled within weeks of their due dates, with Victoria's ambulance crisis putting intense strain on the state's maternity services.

Victoria has just two publicly funded home-birth programs at Sunshine and Casey hospitals - both of which are now temporarily suspended. Assisted home births require ambulances to be available in case of any complications during the procedure.