Data showing the increase in popularity of the birth centre at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children sheds some light into recent allegations of overcrowding.
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As more and more women look to a more natural birth under the midwife continuity of care program pressure is placed on a health care system crying out for more resources.
Data from ACT Health shows that the proportion of women giving birth at a birth centre in the ACT increased from 6.2 per cent in 2011 to 8.3 per cent in 2015.
While the number of mothers opting for this birthing preference has grown it still represents only a small proportion of births as the great majority of babies are delivered in hospitals.
In 2015 there were 421 babies born at the Centenary birth centre compared to 5775 in hospitals.
Given the huge demand and the anecdotal evidence of women putting themselves on the waitlist as soon as they discover they are pregnant - more needs to be done to facilitate this option for mothers-to-be.
The popularity of the program means many women miss out on the continuity of care and can experience frustrations with the public health care system and birthing in the regular ward.
The Canberra Times has published horror stories in recent weeks of traumatic births inside the Centenary Hospital following allegations made by senior staff that a raft of issues were putting mothers and babies at risk.
This includes staffing, overcrowding, daily overbookings of inductions and poor management, leaving caring staff unable to do the job in a satisfactory manner.
Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris has conceded there are issues with demand for services at the Centenary Hospital and want to encourage more women to birth at Calvary Hospital.
This is not likely to happen with the popularity of the birth centre and the highly regarded medical facilities at the associated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
It is pleasing that ACT Health is reviewing the program with a view to expanding it in the territory.
The word-of-mouth warnings delivered to pregnant women to book in to the program show the positive experiences of the majority of mothers who birth there.
There will always be good stories to share, such as those reported in the Sunday Canberra Times for Mother’s Day.
But expansion of the program, improving staffing numbers and resources, and dealing with the allegations will make the birthing experience more positive for more mothers.
