NHS Lanarkshire has re-instated home births as maternity services begin to recover from the impact of Covid-19.

The health board said women will now be entitled to discuss this option with midwives.

However pregnant women will still be required to attend ultrasound scans, ante-natal clinics and other appointments alone with this restriction lifted "as soon as it is safe to do so."

Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire’s Chief Midwife, said: “As we move forward more of our services will begin to return.

"The first of these, is being able to offer home births again. Mums-to-be can discuss their birthing options with their midwife.

“We are continuing to ask pregnant women who are scheduled to attend for ultrasound scans, appointments in our maternity day bed unit, antenatal clinics and maternity triage to attend on their own. These restrictions will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.

“We would like to thank you for your continued patience and we hope to bring you more information about services being reinstated in the coming weeks.

“We urge all pregnant women who are self-isolating to contact their community midwife to discuss their antenatal care and to contact maternity triage in emergency situations such as abdominal pain or concerns with your baby’s movement.”