When you have your first antenatal appointment your midwife will explain the different birthing options you can choose from.
The midwife-led unit at the Lister hospital has been developed to offer a home from home environment for women in good general health with an uncomplicated pregnancy to have their baby. Not all women will be able to give birth in the midwife-led unit.
If you remain well and your pregnancy is uncomplicated at 36 weeks you will be booked in to the MLU unless you prefer to have your baby at home or in the consultant-led unit (CLU).
When you are in established labour you will be encouraged to remain mobile to help facilitate an easier birth. If available, you may use one of our pools when you are in established labour. Gas and air, water and morphine are all available on the MLU. Epidural is not, but can be obtained if necessary downstairs in the CLU. If we had any concerns about you or your baby during your labour, you would be transferred downstairs to the CLU.
| Midwife led unit (MLU) |
| 7 birthing rooms with en suite bathrooms |
| Home from home environment |
| One to one care when in established labour |
| Individual birthing plan |
| Four birthing pools available |
| Lower risk pregnancies |
| Pain relief available, no epidural can be given |
Current status
Across our maternity services we are still experiencing continued pressures to staffing and capacity, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The MLU status is reviewed on a daily basis and closely monitored to see if there is capacity to safely provide care where women plan to access it.
We continue to offer safe birth services but sometimes the possible relocation of staff may mean that there are delays in the induction of labour process, and that some pathways of care may not always be available.
The means, on occasion, the midwifery led unit (MLU) has been diverted. If this is the case, women are offered midwifery led care on the consultant led unit (CLU). Within CLU, there is an en-suite bathroom in each room and a birthing pool available for women and birthing people, should they choose to use this.
One to one care from a midwife is always provided to women and birthing people experiencing labour, but should you have any other concerns, please speak to a member of our midwifery team.
What to bring with you
Please bring your green notes with you when you come in for an appointment, scan or to have your baby. When coming into have your baby please bring:
- Nightwear
- Dressing gown
- Slippers
- Wash things
- Sanitary towels
- Underwear
- Nursing bra
- Breast pads
- Nappies
- Cotton wool
- Baby clothes and hat
Meals
We realise babies don’t come at set times, if you are hungry, please ask the staff to provide you with a menu at any time.
Visiting & Going home
Visiting times are flexible but at the discretion of the midwives on the MLU, taking into account the needs of the other women. The woman’s own children may visit but no others. As you are likely to be going home soon after the birth, it may be best to wait for visitors at home. As women generally go home between 2 and 24 hours following the birth we do not allow flowers or balloons in the MLU. If all is well following the birth of your baby and you are both fit and well, we encourage you to go home within 24hours to the care of the community midwives who will provide your continuing care in your own home.
