Wednesday, 1 August 2012
The Midwife Led Birthing Unit has been relaunched at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
A team of 6 midwives, led by Project Coordinators Alison Shields and Sarah Hookes, provide a 24 hour service for women in labour with a low risk pregnancy.
The MLBU has 2 birthing rooms with en suite facilities. Music, soft lighting and refreshment facilities create a comfortable and relaxed environment. To facilitate movement and upright positions during labour, a Bradbury birthing mattress, birthing balls, beanbags and floor mats are available. Pain relief is provided using T.E.N.S (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), Gas & Air or by injection.
Sarah Hookes said, “One-to-one care from a midwife in labour has been shown to shorten the length of labour and reduce the need for epidural, therefore increasing the likelihood of a normal birth.” Alison Shields adds “Our midwifery team are enthusiastic and dedicated towards providing women centered care within homely surroundings.”
Pregnant women who are eligible to give birth in the MLBU are identified in early pregnancy by their community midwife. The midwife will consider pre-existing medical conditions and pregnancy history. If the expectant mum is allocated to Midwife-Led Care and chooses to have her baby at Glan Clwyd Hospital, providing her pregnancy remains normal throughout, she will be advised to contact the MLBU when in labour, from her 37th week of pregnancy.
The unit is situated within the hospital’s maternity department and transfer to the delivery suite is easily facilitated should an epidural be requested or if complications arise.
Jill Galvani, Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services said “we are committed to supporting women to give birth normally. Midwives in North Wales are experts in child birth and delivering babies in this homely environment is the best way forward”.
The hospital’s Delivery Suite remains the recommended place of birth for women with pre-existing medical conditions or complications of pregnancy.
For more information, please speak to your community midwife or contact the MLBU team on 01745 534707. Expectant mums are welcome to book a visit to the MLBU.
Photographed are: left to right back row: Jennifer Owens, Helen Whitley, Sue Roberts.
Front row: Sarah Hookes, Helen Pritchard, Stephanie White, Alison Shields. Paula Pennington completes the team but is not on the photograph.