Women’s becomes largest single site in the region for deliveries

Birmingham Women’s Hospital has now become the largest single site in the region with capacity for 8000 births per year.

We have always been in high demand from women who want to have their babies here and that demand is growing. We are now able to offer more women their choice thanks to over £3million investment.

With brand new facilities and more midwifery staff recruited, we have increased our deliveries by 800 from 2012 onwards.

The £3million investment has included a dedicated induction of labour suite, a brand new recovery area for women undergoing theatre procedures such as caesarean sections as well as new delivery rooms and a triage and assessment unit. All of these dedicated units have been brought together as the new Assessment and Birthing Centre (or ABC for short).

The ABC also encompasses our thriving Birth Centre, now in its eighth year, which was the first midwifery led unit of its kind in the region offering women with normal pregnancies a home from home birth experience.

We were delighted that Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, Cathy Warwick conducted the official opening on the 31^st July and this was also our opportunity to thank the hundreds of staff who work across the ABC to care for women during their late pregnancy, in labour and in childbirth.

Clinical Director for Maternity, Dr Tracey Johnston commented/explained, “At Birmingham Women’s Hospital, we can boast some of the best expertise in the region for caring for women with high risk and complex pregnancies as well as having an excellent reputation for enabling women to have choice for their birth, with the birth centre providing an excellent alternative to home birth for those with an uncomplicated pregnancy. We never feel comfortable about turning down women, who want to have their babies here, but we have to put safety first and this investment and expansion means that we can now accept far more women whose first choice is the Women’s.”

Jenny Henry, Head of Midwifery said “We are very excited about these new developments and proud that midwifery and medical staff can provide the very best care possible for women and their families regardless of their individual needs. This is truly a centre of excellence.”

Chairman, Elisabeth Buggins added, “The Assessment and Birthing Centre is a fantastic investment for the Women’s Hospital and provides a more fitting environment to support the clinical expertise that we provide to women and their families in Birmingham and across the region. It is testament to the staff within the Centre that women want to come to our Trust to have their babies and that they return as their families grow.”