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F11 Maternity Ward
F11 is the antenatal/postnatal ward where women are cared for after they have had their babies, but also if admission is needed before birth for pregnancy complications or induction of labour.
We have 29 beds arranged in bays. A locker is provided to store personal belongings. We advise not to bring valuable items into hospital.
Examination of your newborn by a specially trained midwife or a paediatrician following birth is carried out within 72 hours of delivery.
The length of your stay in hospital will depend on how you and your baby progress, how confident you feel and the support you have available at home. Your midwife will discuss and plan this with you.
Single rooms may be available at a statutory fee.
Ward F11 is located on the first floor of the hospital, exit the lifts to the left and turn right. It is opposite the labour suite.
For visiting information please view our visiting page
Labour suite
Our Labour Suite is for women receiving consultant led care. We have eight delivery rooms including one with a birthing pool. All of our rooms have wireless CTG machines to enable you to mobilise whilst also effectively monitoring your babies heartrate if required. This is also waterproof so can be used in the pool. All rooms have air conditioning and ensuite toilet and shower facilities. We have mood lighting and bluetooth speakers available in all rooms in order to help create a positive birthing environment, and are happy for you to bring in any personal items that you feel may help with this such as a special pillow, LED candles, or photographs.
Whilst in labour you will receive one to one care from a midwife. We also have a Senior Midwife on duty 24 hours per day who will be involved in your care as and when required. We have twice daily multi-disciplinary ward rounds where the Obstetric Consultant leading your care will discuss your plan of care and progress with you and be able to answer any questions you may have.
You are welcome to have two support partners with you for the duration of your Labour Suite admission. They will both be able to stay with you throughout the birth unless you are required to transfer to theatre for delivery where only one person will be able to attend with you. The other support partner will be able to remain on Labour Suite and see you when you return. Occasionally in emergency situations if a general anaesthetic is used the birthing partner will not be able to attend theatre and will need to wait for you on Labour Suite. We encourage you not to bring any valuables in to hospital with you, including jewellery. If transferred to theatre for any reason all of your jewellery except a wedding band will be removed, so it is a good idea to leave it at home to prevent losing it.
We hold small group Labour Suite tours for women/birthing people and birthing partners to be able to come and have a look around and familiarise themselves with the environment before their due date. If you would like to do this please ask your community midwife who can book you a space.
Midwifery Led Birthing Unit
The Midwifery Led Birthing Unit is designed for women and birthing people receiving midwife-led care. The unit comprises three rooms, two of which feature birthing pools. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, an ensuite toilet and shower, mood lighting, and Bluetooth speakers to help create a calm and positive birthing environment. You are welcome to bring personal items such as a special pillow, LED candles, or photographs to make the space feel more comfortable. A variety of birthing balls are also provided.
A range of analgesia options are available:
- Non-pharmacological methods: TENS machine, hypnobirthing, and hydrotherapy
- Pharmacological methods: Entonox and Pethidine Please note that epidurals are available only in the Labour Suite, and a transfer would be required if this option is chosen.
Our dedicated team of midwives provide triage assessments, intrapartum care, and postnatal care. If you wish to have your baby in the Midwifery Led Birthing Unit, your community midwife will send a referral to the unit team at 34 weeks gestation, at which point your notes will be reviewed.
Two birthing partners may accompany you during triage, labour, and the immediate postnatal period. Unfortunately, visiting by friends or family members beyond the two birthing partners is not permitted.
We recommend that women and birthing partners wear comfortable clothing and bring snacks for the duration of their stay. Please avoid bringing valuables, including jewellery, into the hospital.
Small group tours of the Midwifery Led Birthing Unit are available for women/birthing people and one birth partner. These tours, arranged following referral from community midwives, provide an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the environment before your due date.