Further information about antenatal screening
We are about to introduce a new system that offers a better experience for our maternity service users. Both North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) will jointly start using Badger Notes from autumn 2023. In particular, Badger Notes will see the replacement of bulky yellow notes folders with an app that provides access to a digital...
Information to help you decide where you would like to give birth to your baby
New website for parents to share views on maternity services
Stories from mums and midwifes
Our home births service is still available where appropriate. Please speak to your midwife to discuss your options.
You will be able to attend all scans and appointments at our day assessment units at St Michael's Hospital and Ashcombe Birth Centre with one non-symptomatic adult.
You can be accompanied by one non-symptomatic person (ideally the birth partner) for all scans and consultant antenatal appointments, and to appointments at our day assessment units at St Michael's Hospital and Ashcombe Birth Centre,
For fetal medicine and early pregnancy clinic appointments you can be accompanied by one non-symptomatic person.
Community midwifery clinics and home visits are still running as usual. If you attend a community midwifery clinic, you can be accompanied by a supporting partner.
At the Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP) for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG), everything we do is with the aim of improving maternity services for all. We are a team of people who work together to transform your maternity care. If you or your partner are pregnant or have recently had a baby, then you can be a member. Find out more.
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Ashcombe Birth Centre is a freestanding birth unit situated on the second floor in the Weston General hospital. Mums-to-be who are having a straightforward pregnancy and would like a natural birth, may be able to choose the homely environment of the free-standing birth centre rather than a traditional hospital setting. It is a purpose built unit with two comfortable birthing rooms. Mothers can give birth in a relaxed, home from home setting.
The birth of your baby is an extraordinary and life-changing event, the memories of which will stay with you forever. We aim to offer a calm and relaxing environment with the support of experienced midwives. Both rooms have ensuite facilities, bean bag and birthing ball and one room has a birth pool, to promote active labour and natural births. After the birth you will return home to the care of your community midwife.
Why should I consider birthing in a midwife led unit?
‘Midwifery units appear to be safe for the baby and offer benefits for the mother’.
Women who planned a birth in a midwifery unit had significantly fewer interventions...and more ‘normal births’ than women who planned birth in an obstetric unit’.
Labour and birth are a natural process, most mums who are fit and well and have had a healthy pregnancy can choose to birth in our midwifery led unit. We do recognise that some women may require the more specialised support provided by the main obstetric unit at St. Michael’s Hospital, Bristol. To help with your decision, your community midwife will discuss options with you at your booking and again when you are 34 weeks pregnant, if you choose the Ashcombe birth centre your individual health and pregnancy will be reviewed to ensure your pregnancy has remained uncomplicated.
Facilities at Ashcombe Birth Centre have been designed to provide comfort and support in labour and include:
Two en-suite birth rooms furnished with floor mats, cushions and birth balls to support you
A water pool in one birth room, should you wish to relax and/or give birth in water
Entonox (gas and air) and aromatherapy to help with labour
Access to tea, coffee and light snacks
In addition to the birth facilities, the Birth Centre is a base for the local community midwives and a venue for Consultant antenatal clinics, postnatal clinics, day assessment unit and the early pregnancy assessment unit.
What happens if there is a problem?
If your pregnancy has been straightforward, and there is no reason to think that you or your baby are likely to need medical support during labour or after the birth, then the Birth Centre could be a good choice for you.
The Ashcombe Birth Centre is staffed and run by midwives. Extra emergency equipment is kept in the Birth Centre, should unforeseen problems arise for a woman or baby. Staff receive regular training to deal with such situations.
If emergency assistance is required from other medical practitioners women will be transferred via ambulance to St. Michael’s Hospital maternity unit, approximately 30 minutes away (22 miles).
Please take a look at further infromation about St Michael's Hospital.
The My Pregnancy @ St Michael's app can be downloaded onto Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. The free app enables people to access more than 60 patient information leaflets produced by our experienced midwives and clinicians. To download the app, type 'St Michael's Bristol' into the app store on your device.
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Useful links:
National Birth Place Study https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/birthplace
NCT, Where to have my baby?: https://www.nct.org.uk/birth/choosing-where-have-your-baby