First-time parents are to get "NHS minders" to help them through the first two years under a new pilot scheme.
The government has set aside £7.5m for midwives and health visitors to offer support in 10 of the poorest areas.
It is based on a US system which has been proved to help improve health and cut accidents and is being specifically aimed at single mothers.
But midwives said it was the sort of care every professional wanted to provide but could not because of cuts.
The Royal College of Midwives estimated another 3,000 midwives are needed by 2012.
This comes after 17,000 posts have been cut in the last year as the NHS struggles with its finances.
Source
The government has set aside £7.5m for midwives and health visitors to offer support in 10 of the poorest areas.
It is based on a US system which has been proved to help improve health and cut accidents and is being specifically aimed at single mothers.
But midwives said it was the sort of care every professional wanted to provide but could not because of cuts.
The Royal College of Midwives estimated another 3,000 midwives are needed by 2012.
This comes after 17,000 posts have been cut in the last year as the NHS struggles with its finances.
Source