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The Birthing Unit

The Birthing Unit at Broomfield Hospital

The birth of your baby is a very special time in your journey towards parenthood.

The Birthing Unit is managed by midwives who specialise in caring for women with uncomplicated pregnancies and labours.

Offering a more homely setting for the birth of your baby, you can expect the highest level of care in a relaxed and calm environment.

We will also care for you at The Birthing Unit after your baby is born, until it is time for you to go home – usually around 4 hours after the birth of your baby.

How do I know if The Birthing Suite is the right choice for me?

Even if this is your first pregnancy you can have your baby at The Birthing Unit if:

you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy
there are no problems foreseen with your labour
you are more than 37 weeks pregnant
your waters are clear when they break

The Birthing Unit is not suitable if:

you have experienced complications during your pregnancy
you have a medical problem which may affect your labour

What can I expect from The Birthing Unit?

You will be cared for by midwives who are specially trained in promoting normal labour. They will be there to support you every step of the way.

The Birthing Unit offers you the facility to keep mobile while in labour, in comfortable surroundings. There is also a pool, to help you to relax during your labour and for water birth. Your birthing partner can stay with you
throughout.

What pain relief do you offer?

Natural methods such as:

relaxation techniques
music
freedom to move around
birthing balls
water pool

Other available methods of pain relief include:

Entonox (gas & air)
Pethidine injection

You will not be able to have an epidural in The Birthing Unit. If you choose this method of pain relief during your labour, you will need to be transferred to the Labour Ward.

What are the visiting times?

Whilst we welcome visitors, we ask that they call The Birthing Unit before coming, on 01245 513384.

How long will I stay?

You will remain in The Birthing Unit following delivery of your baby for up to 4 hours. If everything has been straightforward then you will be discharged home and into the care of your community midwife.

If, for any reason you require a longer stay then you will be transferred to Post Natal Ward.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Birthing Unit.

If you would like more information please contact The Birthing Unit and speak to any of our Midwives or speak to your Community Midwife.

Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford

Contact Details :

Maternity Services

Level 4

Hospital Wing

Broomfield Hospital

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 7ET

Antenatal Clinic : 01245 513289 or 513664

Antenatal Ward : 01245 513355

Birthing Unit : 01245 513384

Labour Ward : 01245 513056 or 513057

Postnatal Ward is 01245 513052 or 513567

>> Directions to the Hospital

To contact Community Midwives, or to arrange your booking, click on the relevant e-mail below:

(Please Note : The email link is only to arrange your first booking appointment with a midwife. It is not to be used if you have a problem or need to see a midwife urgently. In such cases please contact your GP or, if you have been booked, your community midwife via the telephone contact numbers she has given you)

Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford

chelmsfordmidwives@meht.nhs.uk

Remember to include the following information when you contact us :

Name:
Address:
Date of Birth:
Telephone No.
Mobile No.
Your Doctors name
Your Doctors address
What was the first day of your last period?
Is this your first baby?

Thank you for contacting us

(Trust Disclaimer : You are most welcome to use this email service, however , the trust will not be held responsible for any loss of patient identifiable data that might occur during the transit of the request email and its reply, as you will necessarily be using a non-secure email facility. Therefore if you use this facility we will consider that you have consented to accept the potential risk.)