HOSPITALS
A key recommendation of Better Births was that personalised care should be central to maternity services; centred on the woman, her baby and her family, based around their needs and their decisions, where they have genuine choice, informed by unbiased information and central to ensuring that women receive the best care possible.
If you choose to give birth in a consultant led hospital unit, or are advised to because of a medical condition for you or your baby you’ll be looked after primarily by midwives, but doctors will be available if you need their help.
Advantages of a hospital birth centre include:
- Direct access to obstetricians if your labour becomes complicated
- Direct access to anaesthetists who give epidurals and general anaesthetics
- There will be specialists in newborn care (neonatologists) and a special care baby unit if there are any problems with your baby
There are also disadvantages to giving birth in a hospital for some people. Your choice over where you give birth can have a significant impact on birth outcomes.
Please give your feedback regarding your experiences and care surrounding your Hospital Birth to:
Bath & North East Somerset
BaNES – Royal United Hospital, Bath
Swindon
Great Western Hospital – Julie Card
Wiltshire
Salisbury District Hospital – Jo Woodman
