Care in labour

Mums-to-be under the care of University Hospitals Dorset may choose to have their baby at home, or give birth in hospital, depending on their clinical needs:

At home

If you are fit and well, have no medical conditions and have a straightforward pregnancy, you could choose to have your baby at home.

Please click here for further details.

If you would like to discuss having a home birth in more detail please speak to your community midwife. Alternatively please ring 01202 442692, leave a message and a midwife will contact you to discuss your choice.

Haven Birthing Suite

The Haven Unit Birth Centre is our low-risk, midwife-led birthing suite. It is set in a homely environment and the emphasis is on low-intervention childbirth, and how we can empower you to achieve this.

Mothers and birthing people who are fit and well, have no medical conditions, and have a straightforward pregnancy can choose to give birth in the Haven.

The Haven has six en-suite birth rooms. The environment in the Haven is relaxed and women and birthing people are encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible in labour. Water is a fantastic method of pain relief and there are five birthing pools in the Haven for mothers and birthing people to use, either for pain relief or to birth in as well.

It is a good idea to tell us you would like to use the pool when you phone the Maternity Advice Line (MAL) on 0300 369 0388.  The pools can take 10-15 minutes to fill, so we can get it ready while you are on your way in.

Low risk aids such as birthing balls and mats are freely available on the Haven. In addition, special equipment is available to help mothers and birthing people adopt comfortable positions while in labour.

Maternity Advice Line: 0300 369 0388

• Option 1 – clinical advice (24/7 cover)
• Option 2 – clerical queries (8am-4pm cover)

Woodland Labour Ward

Mothers and birthing people who have had a high risk pregnancy in the past, have an existing medical condition, have developed a complication in this pregnancy or who wish to use epidural as a method of pain relief are encouraged to give birth in the Woodland Labour Ward.

There are two birthing pools available to women/birthing people on Woodland Labour Ward, you should discuss your desire to use water for labour/birth with your midwife or obstetrician as part of your plan for birth.

It is a good idea to tell us you would like to use the pool when you phone the Maternity Advice Line (MAL) on 0300 369 0388.  The pools can take 10-15 minutes to fill, so we can get it ready while you are on your way in.

When you are admitted you will be given your own room which you will normally stay in to give birth. Sometimes however it might be necessary to transfer you to the theatre for delivery, for example if you need a forceps or caesarean delivery. A midwife will be assigned to look after you. Midwives normally work 12 hour shifts. Depending on the time of your admission and the length of your labour you may have more than one midwife looking after you throughout your labour.

The rooms on Woodland Labour Ward do have quite a lot of equipment but this is there to ensure the safety of you and your baby. Most mothers/birthing people and babies in this suite need to be monitored more closely throughout labour. However we encourage mothers and birthing people to be as active as possible to increase the chances of achieving a normal birth. Continuous monitoring using telemetry is also available on the Woodland Labour Ward.

Telemetry is a remote system that permits wireless monitoring of fetal and maternal wellbeing in water or whilst moving around. This is appropriate for mothers and birthing people who need continuous monitoring and who wish to be as mobile as possible.

Other birthing aids such as balls and mats are also available on the Woodland Labour Ward, please ask your midwife if you would like to use these for labour.

Within the theatre there are two dedicated obstetric theatres for women and birthing people who require a caesarean section. These are run by a dedicated team of theatre staff. If you need to give birth in the obstetric theatre you will be accompanied by a midwife who will support you and your birth partner through the caesarean section.

For more information, please click here

Maternity Advice Line: 0300 369 0388

• Option 1 – clinical advice (24/7 cover)
• Option 2 – clerical queries (8am-4pm cover)