Pregnancy Journey

Birth Centres

Birth centres, also known as Midwife Led Birthing Units, are staffed by midwives and midwifery support workers.

They have a calm 'home-from-home' environment, which can help you to feel more comfortable with your surroundings during labour. Birth pools are available and encouraged. Epidurals are not administered in a birthing centre.

Choosing a Birth Centre

If you are having a straightforward pregnancy, birth centres are just as safe for babies as hospital delivery suites. The chance of needing a caesarean section or other medical intervention is also much lower.

Women who start their labour in the birth centre are 50 percent less likely to have a caesarean birth. This applies even if you transfer from the birth centre to a hospital during labour.

If a problem occurs during labour, you will be transferred to a hospital delivery suite, accompanied by your midwife.
Birthing Centres are available at;
- Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
- Queen Elizabeth King's Lynn Hospital
- James Paget University Hospital

Who can Help?

You can contact the Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

If you are 11-19 you can text Chathealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of the Healthy Child Programme team.