Consultant led unit

From 17th October 2011

When you have your first antenatal appointment your midwife will explain the different birthing options you can choose from. If you have a pregnancy that is higher risk, for example you are expecting more than one baby, you will be booked into our consultant led unit (CLU) at the Lister hospital.

You would also have your baby on the CLU if you request an epidural or you choose to deliver on the CLU.

On the CLU you will be cared for by the delivery team which will include a midwife, consultant obstetrician, obstetric registrar, senior house officer and anaesthetic team.

There is a birthing pool available on the CLU. Other forms of pain relief in labour include entonox, morphine as an injection and epidural. We will also encourage you to be mobile and to participate in the decisions made as you have your baby.

If you need a caesarean section we have a purpose-built theatre suite with a recovery area where you will stay before being transferred to the postnatal ward.

During your time on the CLU you can have up to two birthing partners with you. We do not allow any other visitors.

Midwife led unit (MLU)	Consultant led unit (CLU)
7 birthing rooms with en suite bathrooms	9 birthing rooms with en suite bathrooms
Home from home environment	Modern comfortable purpose built rooms
One to one care when in established labour	One to one care when in established labour
Individual birthing plan	Individual birthing plan
Two birthing pools available	One birthing pool available
Lower risk pregnancies	Higher risk pregnancies
Pain relief available, no epidural can be given	Pain relief available including epidural