AN overhaul of maternity services offered in parts of the county could revolutionise the treatment available to expectant mothers.

Plans are under way to develop and modernise the services and facilities available to pregnant women in the Scarborough, Ryedale and Whitby areas.

If approved, the package aims to give mothers-to-be a more comfortable and supportive experience during their pregnancy and labour.

"Women for years have been saying they don't want maternity units to look like hospitals, they want somewhere inviting and comfortable," said Yvonne Webster, head of midwifery at Scarborough and North-East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Part of the modernisation proposals include creating a "home from home" facility at the trust's main maternity unit in Scarborough and its peripheral units in Malton, Whitby and Bridlington.

Ms Webster said: "Basically we want to move away from the clinical aspect of giving birth and give women the kind of normality and comfort that they get at home.

"So we will look to provide dimmed lighting, aromatic oils or music, if that's what they want."

The development package, which will help bring maternity facilities into the 21st Century, has been put together following months of talks and reviews conducted by the area's Maternity Services Modernisation Board.

Mrs Webster said the main purpose of the proposals aims to expand on services that are already available.

"The board want to develop the facilities and practices that are set in place, thereby giving the women using the maternity units more choice," she said.

"At the moment we run a system of shared care whereby expectant mothers are seen by GPs, consultants and midwives.

"We want to be able to offer mothers a more one-on-one relationship with their midwives, if that's what they wants."

With many development ideas, Mrs Webster said the proposals appeared sensational "because the entire system seems not to have been reviewed for a very long time".

Despite having only been in her post for 12 weeks she is confident that the plans will be given the go-ahead.

The three to five-year development strategy will soon be presented for ratification to four different boards, including the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale and the Yorkshire Wolds and Coast primary care trusts.