Delivery Suite provides care to women who may have risk factors in pregnancies and/or labour and are generally referred for consultant care and the care of the obstetric team.
Although your labour may have risk factors, we aim to provide individualised care to all women, encouraging mobility and active birth where possible. However, if your baby needs to be continuously monitored, mobility may be restricted. If you have a birth plan or have wishes regarding pain relief and care in labour, please discuss them with the midwife caring for you.

Labour care is provided in single, en suite rooms. One to one care is provided once labour is established.
Following the birth, you may be moved to the 4 bedded postnatal bays where care can be provided in a safe environment and observation of you and your newborn baby is easier.
Women who have problems during or after the birth of their babies may be cared for on the Delivery Suite for a time after the birth also.

If you are having your labour induced please access our induction of labour information padlet: bit.ly/dudleyiol

The midwifery led unit (MLU) is a dedicated unit for women with a low risk pregnancy. The unit is run by midwives and offers you a calm environment to deliver your baby with your chosen birth partner(s) and midwife. Many women can labour and give birth without any medical intervention and enjoy the calm safe environment the MLU provides.

The midwifery led unit is located next to our obstetric delivery suite; this gives you peace of mind that should it be necessary, you can easily be transferred.

The birthing rooms have equipment which help you to mobilise such as a multi-track couch, birthing balls and bean bags(see photo tour section for images). There is a bed in the room however you will be encouraged to use a couch should you want to rest. This approach aids and encourages mobilisation, which in turn helps with the birth. You are welcome to book into our active birth classes (see class information section) from 34wks of pregnancy where we will discuss the midwife led unit further and show you how the equipment works.

If you attend MLU but are not in established labour the midwife can provide you with a TENS machine and analgesia (pain relief). Both of these will help you cope when you go home and until you return in established labour.

One of our delivery rooms has a birthing pool. Please refer to the waterbirth section if this is something you may be interested in.

Following birth, the MLU does accommodate women who wish an early discharge home. This can be as soon as 2 hours following delivery should there be no complications. However, should you not be ready to go home from the delivery room, you and your baby can be transferred to our two bedded postnatal room. This area also benefits from pull out chair beds which supports your new family unit by allowing your partner to relax too.

We are looking forward to seeing you on our midwife led unit and wish you well with your special delivery.

Call Triage on (01384)  456111 extension 3053

Triage is the assessment area for maternity where we assess many needs, not just labour. You may be referred to triage by your GP, community midwife or you may contact us directly after 20 weeks of pregnancy, up to 6 weeks after delivery of your baby. Triage is open 7 days a week and offers a 24 hour service. Triage midwives will aim to give you consistent professional advice concerning your current pregnancy or postnatal concerns.

It may be necessary for you to be seen by a doctor during your visit to Triage which may require you to be admitted for observation onto the maternity ward or admission to delivery suite if you are in established labour.

If you think you are in labour and are booked under the care of your midwife, you should inform the Triage midwife. When you telephone, you may be transferred to the MLU or asked to attend the MLU when you arrive.

If you need help or advice before 20 weeks of pregnancy, please contact your GP or go to Accident and Emergency Department, During Monday to Friday 9-5 you may contact your community midwife team; you may then be referred to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic.

Very occasionally a labour can develop very quickly and if you feel your baby’s birth is imminent, please telephone an emergency ambulance on 999.