For over 15 years the Kingston Birth Centre has offered midwife-led, one-to-one, personalised labour care to women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
Claire’s experience
“Our midwives were so kind and caring. They put us at ease and ensured we had the birth we were hoping for.”
A dedicated team of experienced midwives and maternity support workers will care for you and your baby during your stay. We encourage women to attend the Birth Centre if they have an uncomplicated pregnancy, a vaginal birth is planned and labour is spontaneous (happens on its own), after 37 weeks.
During pregnancy you will have an ongoing conversation with your midwife or obstetrician where you can discuss if Birth Centre is right for you. For women who have complications in pregnancy and the recommendation is to birth on the Delivery Suite, a discussion with a consultant midwife can be arranged to facilitate your birth preferences.
Evidence has shown that birth outcomes were better for healthy women, who labour and birth on a midwife led unit. Women experienced less intervention and have a greater chance of a vaginal birth.
Choosing Kingston Birth Centre
Birth Centre facilities
The online tour is a useful tool to view the birth environment.
What pain relief is available?
Your birth preferences are important to us and you will be supported in your chosen method of pain relief. Commonly used options include: breathing techniques, hypnobirthing, TENS machine (you will need to provide your own), entonox (gas and air), aromatherapy, water immersion, oramorph or pethidine. There is no epidural service on the Birth Centre. In the event that you wish to have an epidural, we will arrange transfer to the Delivery Suite which is located on the same floor.
What happens when I go into labour?
Contact our midwives in triage on 0208 934 2802. A Midwife will ask you some questions about your labour and advise you what to do next.
What happens if my birth preferences change?
Birth Centre is located a short distance from Delivery Suite and Theatres. There is timely access to a team of doctors including Obstetricians, Paediatricians and Anaesthetists dependent on need.
After birth and going home
Partners are welcome to stay in hospital for the duration of the stay. The postnatal rooms are equipped with reclining chairs for sleeping overnight.
Your midwife will discuss an individual discharge plan soon after birth. Many women choose to return home within a few hours of birth, the average length of stay on Birth Centre is 7 hours.
Hot and cold meals are available for mothers and special dietary requirements can be accommodated. Water, tea and coffee refreshments are available around the unit.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Birth Centre. Please get in touch for more information and follow us on Instagram @birthcentrekh
