Our Delivery suite is the largest in the North East. It is on Level 4 of the Leazes Wing. As the largest unit it has:
- 12 birthing rooms, one of which is a pool room. Seven are en-suite
- 6 induction beds arranged as one 2-bedded bay and one 4-bedded bay
- A 5-bedded Recovery area
- A 4-bedded Enhanced Recovery area
- 2 maternity theatres on the Delivery Suite
- Access to further theatres if required
- A training room for staff
- Further toilets, showers and baths available
- Free TV with Freeview in each birthing room except the pool room
- Birthing balls, floor mats and birthing stools available on request
Your journey will usually start on the maternity assessment unit, for an initial assessment where we can then advise you if we recommend you go on to the delivery suite.
Once it is time to stay within the hospital, a midwife will take you around to a delivery room or induction bed.
As those using the delivery suite are usually experiencing high risk pregnancies the rooms have more equipment in them than you may expect to see at the Newcastle Birthing Centre. Each room will usually have;
- A specialised delivery bed which can be moved into various positions to help labour and delivery
- A drip stand
- A machine called a cardiotocograph (CTG) used to monitor your baby’s heartbeat
- An electronic blood pressure machine
- A comfy chair for your birthing partner
If your baby needs any breathing support after delivery we have all the necessary equipment in each birthing room.
Criteria for delivery suite
All women have the option to choose to labour and birth on delivery suite but if you are experiencing a high risk pregnancy, we will recommend you have your baby here. Anyone choosing to have an epidural as their pain relief will also need to go to the delivery suite. Examples of pregnancies and labours that would be recommended on delivery suite could be
- You are in labour and under 37+0
- Your baby is estimated to be small
- You are having more than one baby (twins, triplets or more)
Other examples include
- If your baby has not developed as expected
- You need a hormone drip to help with contractions
- If you need an induction
- You have diabetes or gestational diabetes
- You have significant vaginal bleeding
- If you have high blood pressure
- Your baby has opened their bowels before birth, even if you are 37+0 weeks or more
- If you have had a caesarean section before
- You have a significant medical condition that puts you at a higher risk of complications at birth or afterwards
Speak to your community midwife or consultant if you would like to discuss your options for where to give birth.
Birth partners
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the policy for birth partners may frequently change based on what is happening nationally as well as Trust guidance. Full details can be found here.
If you or your birthing partner is either positive of, or has any signs and symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible to discuss this on 0191 282 5748.
Students
As a teaching hospital we will often have students from various specialities come to the delivery suite to gain experience during their studies. They could be:
- Midwives
- Doctors
- Paramedics
- Nurses
- Occupational therapists
The students can be at various stages of their training and may be male or female. They always appreciate your permission to watch or participate in any part of your care as this experience is vital to their training. It is your decision as to whether you will allow any student to participate or watch any or all of your care or whether you would like to decline students altogether.
