Giving birth

Our Maternity Department is on the ground floor of the Maternity Building and includes a Triage (Ward 31) for the initial assessment and care if you think you may be in labour, or have any other pregnancy related concerns; a delivery suite which includes 10 labour rooms, one birthing room with a pool for water births, two operating theatres, and recovery rooms; a co-located Midwife Led Birth Unit with four midwife-led birthing rooms (one with a birthing pool), where we have created a ‘home from home’ feel for mums.

Home birth
We understand choice is very important for our women and we support a 24 hour home birth service.

Home births are supported by our community-based midwives, who will remain with you once you are in established labour and two midwives will be present at birth. We encourage water births and can help you arrange the use of an inflatable pool.

A homebirth may not be recommended by your midwife or obstetrician. You may want to discuss your choice or options at the Consultant Midwife Led Birth Options Clinic where we can provide support for you and the midwaves in order to promote safety.