Our multidisciplinary team undertakes around 5,700 births per year, comprising low risk, midwife led care and specialist high-risk births.

We aim to give high quality holistic care to all our women. Our normal birth rate is 67% and for Caesarean Sections is around 15%, which is well below the national average.

There are 16 dedicated birthing rooms, including a birthing pool.

We offer an aromatherapy service to interested women in labour. We also have a variety of beanbags, mats, cushions and birthing balls to assist with mobility and comfort in the early stages of labour to support women in active birth.  We encourage early skin to skin contact with mother and baby as well as early breastfeeding.

We also have a quiet room, with accommodation and catering facilities for bereaved parents and their families.

I would like more information about....

• What happens when I arrive on Labour Suite?

• If I need pain relief in labour what are my choices?

The birthing pool

• Click here for "The Birthing Pool" leaflet - Acrobat Reader required

Some of our women wish to use the pool for pain relief.

Those who wish to give birth in the pool will need to have further discussions with the midwife looking after them. These include any complications which may arise, procedures for leaving the pool and delivery of the placenta (afterbirth)

Partners are very welcome to also get in the pool but swim wear is expected to be worn.

Operating theatre

During your pregnancy or even in labour a situation may arise that a Caesarean Section is advised for the birth of your baby.

Where is the operating theatre?

There are two operating theatres close to the delivery suite, with a theatre team on stand-by 24 hours a day.

Who is in the theatre team?

The team will include doctors (obstetricians, an anaesthetist, a neonatologist), nursing staff – one who assists the surgeon and another, an operating department practitioner, who assists the anaesthetist, and your midwife

Will I be awake?

Most Caesarean Sections are performed while the woman is awake, by using a spinal anaesthetic.  In this situation, if you wish, your partner may stay with you in theatre.  To help you relax or distract you, why not bring some music – we can play tapes or CDs.  Your partner will be directed into a changing room to put on suitable clothes before joining you in the theatre.

What if I have a General Anaesthetic?

If you have a general anaesthetic (when you are asleep) for your Caesarean it will not be possible for your partner to go into the operating theatre with you.   Your partner will be shown to a relatives waiting area just outside of the theatre where they can wait for you.  Theatre staff will keep your partner informed of your progress, and as soon as you awake from the anaesthetic, your partner will be able to join you in the theatre recovery room until you are transferred to one of the wards.

• Infant feeding

• Bereavement care on labour suite