Maternity Ward

The Maternity Unit has a happy, friendly atmosphere with enthusiastic midwives, doctors and care assistants. You will be assured of the warmest welcome if you come here for the birth of your baby.

The unit has 17 large birthing rooms, each with an en suite bathroom. Each room has lots of space, a comfy chair, a birthing ball, a floor mat and a choice of two beds—one ordinary one and a birthing bed.

We believe in active, normal birth and we try to avoid electronic monitoring equipment of baby's well-being if at all possible. We do have a full-size birthing pool, which gets a lot of use.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) units are available in the unit and we have an epidural service and pharmacological methods of pain relief available.

Often, once the baby has been born, mum and baby stay together in the birth room until they go home. However, at busy times it becomes necessary for mothers and babies who are well to move into a room–share with up to three others.

We are very keen to promote breastfeeding and have a ‘Baby Friendly’ certificate of commitment from UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). All our staff are trained to support breastfeeding mothers.

Visiting

Visiting hours: 3:30 – 4:30pm, 7 – 8pm. Partners and mother’s children welcome 9am – 9pm.

It is not possible for partners to stay in the unit overnight. However, partners of women in real labour or fathers of babies who are acutely ill will always be accommodated.

Other information

Head of Midwifery Services: Christine Voce.

Maternity Unit Direct Line: 01305 254267.