Choosing where to give birth
In Chester you can choose to give birth at home, in our alongside midwifery unit (Blossom Birthing Unit), or in our hospital obstetric unit (Central Labour Suite)
This leaflet explains the differences between your options about where to give birth and the research evidence available to support your decision: https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/documents/Birth-options-first-baby.pdf
Your choice about where to have your baby will depend on the facilities and support you would like for your labour and the kind of pain relief you may wish to be available. However. for those with some medical conditions or complication that may affect pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will advise you that the Central Labour Ward is the safest place to give birth so that specialists are available if you need extra help during labour.
For most, pregnancy and childbirth are normal life events that are generally very safe and need very little medical care. In this case you may decide that you would like to give birth at home.
Home
If you are fit and well, have no medical conditions and have a straightforward pregnancy you may wish to choose to have your baby at home. When you go into labour, one of our community midwives will come to your house to support you. As labour progresses, a second midwife normally joins you so there are two midwives there for the birth of your baby.
Blossom Birthing Unit
The Blossom Birthing Unit is adjacent to the Central Labour Suite and has two birth rooms, each has en-suite facilities and a birthing pool. All care is led by midwives and our aim is to provide a home from home environment. The rooms are furnished with bean bags, birthing balls, and a birthing couch to help you feel comfortable and secure
Central Labour Suite
Central Labour Suite is a friendly, multi-professional environment with 24/7 cover from an anaesthetist and consultant obstetrician. Central Labour Suite is suited to those with complex pregnancies or those who wish to have an epidural in labour. We have 7 birthing rooms which are furnished with machines to monitor you baby’s heart rate, multi positional birthing beds and equipment to care for you in labour and birth. Although rooms are designed for those with more complex needs, it is also possible for rooms to be adapted to reflect a home from home setting to personalise your environment and make you feel at ease.
One room equipped with a birthing pool, and three rooms have corner baths for those who wish to experience a water birth or use water as a means of pain relief (when suitable).
In the event that complications arise, the central labour suite benefits from having a dedicated obstetric theatre.
|
|
Home
|
Blossom Birthing Unit
|
Central Labour Suite
|
|
Equipment to create relaxing environment
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Birthing Pool
|
6 Birthing Pools available to hire
|
2 Birthing Pools
|
1 Birthing Pool
|
|
TENS
|
Self-Hire
|
Self-Hire
|
Self-Hire
|
|
Gas & Air
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Diamorphine
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Epidural
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
For further information to support your decisions can be found on our comfort measures and pain relief section
Useful Resources