Birth choices

Whether this is your first baby or you are adding to your existing family, we aim to work with you to plan the labour and birth that you would like. This includes planning where you would like to have your baby, and who you would like to support you.

Our highly skilled team of midwives and maternity care assistants can support you to have your baby in your own home or in one of our birthing suites, which offer a calm and homely environment. Labour ward provides care for women and babies who need additional monitoring throughout labour and birth.

Wherever you choose to have your baby, we hope you find the following information useful in helping you make your decision.

Women in East and North Hertfordshire have the option of having their baby at home, in the midwifery led unit (MLU) or in the Consultant led unit (CLU) at the Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit. These leaflets will give you information to help you make this decision but your midwife will also be able to advise you.

Services at the Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit – Why choose the Lister?

You can also look at our patient information leaflets if you are considering a water birth or where to have your baby.

• Information for healthy, low-risk women who are having their first baby
• Information for healthy, low-risk women who have had a baby before

Home births

Home birth is a safe option for women who have no problems during preganncy; however a planned home birth is safer than an unplanned one. if you are thinking of about having your baby at home it is important that you let your midwife know at the earliest opportunity.

Things to consider with a home birth:

• You will have little or no medical intervention during labour
• You may feel more relaxed and in control in your own home
• You may be more likely to have met your midwife before labour starts

However:

• You will not have access to an epidural
• Although it is rarely necessary, you may be advised to transfer to hospital if complications arise.

Birth plan

A birth plan is a record of what you would like to happen during your labour and after the birth. Click here to print out a blank birth plan to discuss with your midwife and fill in by hand, or to fill in a birth plan online, save it and print it out.