Welsh child classical vocalist turned pop star Charlotte Church started her family young (she’s 21), giving birth to a baby girl last week. Unlike her American peer Britney Spears, though, Church didn’t plan a C-section. She gave birth at home with a midwife, as many UK women do (not just celebs). In fact, earlier this year the British Health Minister announced plans to guarantee every mum a midwife-attended home birth by 2009. “We believe that, given a genuine, properly-supported choice many women would choose a home birth. Part of this strategy is to ensure that a home birth becomes a serious and realistic option.” In Wales, the goal is for 10% of women to birth at home. The health minister there said, “I hope that with guidance and help more mothers will consider home births as [a] preferred option for delivering their babies.”

Things sure are different across the pond!