13 June 2013
Midwifery Led Birthing Unit Opens at St Michael's Hospital
A new midwifery-led birthing unit has been officially opened
today (Thursday 13 June) at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol by
everyone's favourite mum, the actress Lynda Bellingham.
The new unit will open to patients on Monday 17 June and will
offer mums-to-be a safe alternative to giving birth in a
traditional hospital setting or at home. The birthing unit will be
suitable for women with uncomplicated pregnancies who wish to give
birth in a home from home, non-medical environment.
There will be four birthing rooms including two large rooms with
birthing pools and double beds and two smaller rooms with en suite
showers. One-to-one midwifery support will be provided during
labour in a relaxed and homely environment. All rooms have mats,
birth balls and equipment to support women to achieve a safe and
natural labour and birth.
The midwives will aim to support women to give birth with
minimal intervention and pain relief. However, should the woman
decide that she needs increased care once labour has begun she can
be transferred to the Trust's Central Delivery Suite (CDS), which
is conveniently located in the same building.
Sarah Windfeld, head of midwifery at UH Bristol, says:
"All the midwifery staff are absolutely delighted to now have the
new midwifery led unit within St. Michael' s Hospital, especially
as it will mean more choice for women giving birth in Bristol.
Women giving birth in the midwifery led unit will benefit from
a home like environment and have the opportunity to use a birthing
pool for labour and birth."
Lynda Bellingham, who officially opened the unit today,
said: "I wish I was thirty years younger, so that I could have had
my baby here."
Mums-to-be who want to find out more about the unit should speak
to their midwife.
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