Newham birthing options

Our birth centre is staffed entirely by midwives and provides a relaxed home-like environment for labour and birth for those who have had a straight-forward pregnancy.

All of our birthing rooms have an en-suite bathroom, fixed birthing pools, a double bed, flat screen TV, and natural birthing aids such as a stool, a sling and a birthing ball.

To help you manage your labour, we offer pain relief options such as use of a birthing pool, gas and air (Entonox) and Pethidine. You can also bring your tens machine if you wish. Epidurals for pain relief are not available. 

Who can use the birth centre?

Women and pregnant people who have had a straight-forward pregnancy with no medical problems and/or problems in a previous pregnancy or labour.

We welcome women from across Newham, Barking and the surrounding London boroughs, including Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Havering and Redbridge. We are also very happy to care for women from other parts of London and Essex.

Where is the birth centre located?

We are situated on the first floor, zone 2.

Phone us: 020 7363 8778

Our delivery suite is purpose-built with dedicated professionals available 24 hours a day to ensure that you and your baby are cared for during your labour and birth.

We have 15 labour rooms including a high-risk bay and a room with a birthing pool. All rooms are equipped with birthing aids such a birth balls, stools and bean bags to encourage an active labour. 

The suite also provides a full range of options to manage your birth including a birthing pool, gas and air (Entonox), Pethidine, and epidural. It is staffed and equipped to deal with all situations, particularly where medical intervention may be required for you and/or your baby.

Who can use the delivery suite?

If your pregnancy has not been straightforward, then you are likely to have your baby in the delivery suite. Although you can still choose to have your baby in the delivery suite if you have had a straight-forward pregnancy.

We are situated on the first floor, zone 4.

Phone us: 020 7363 8137 / 8737.

If you have a straight-forward pregnancy you have the option to give birth at home. You will be cared for by our team of community midwives.

Who will attend a homebirth?

Two midwives will attend your birth, to support you and keep you comfortable. They will be able to suggest a variety of labour techniques suited to you, ensuring your experience is a positive one.

If you would like a home birth or more information, please discuss this with your midwife. This decision will be discussed again with you at 34 and 36 weeks to ensure your pregnancy is still straight forward and that you would still like a homebirth. 

Will any equipment be provided?

Our midwives will support you if you choose to use a birthing pool at home. If you wish to use a birthing pool, there a number of companies where one can be hired for a fee. Please speak to your midwife if you would like us to support you in having a birthing pool during your homebirth.

Gas and air (Entonox) will be available if you need it, and can be used alongside other natural methods to help you stay relaxed and calm during labour. Please note epidurals are not available at a homebirth. 

What happens if there is an emergency?

While few emergencies in childbirth are immediately life threatening, if there is an emergency during your homebirth, your midwife is trained to respond. If we agree the safest thing to do is transfer you to hospital, we will call an ambulance.

What if I just change my mind when labour starts?

Nothing is set in stone! When you go into labour we’ll come and visit you at home to see how you’re doing. At this stage you can decide whether to stay at home or go to a birth centre or hospital.

We offer specialist clinics for women and pregnant people who require additional care during their birth experience.  Appointments for these clinics are made via your midwife or obstetrician.

Multiple pregnancy clinics

These clinics are run by specialist obstetric consultants who provide care and advice to people excepting two or more babies.

Vaginal birth after caesarean clinic (also known as VBAC)

This clinic provides advice to pregnant women and people regarding their birth choice if their previous baby was delivered by caesarean section.

Birth afterthoughts clinic

This is an opportunity for our consultant midwives to meet with you to discuss birth experiences and plan your future birth choices.