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Choosing where you have your baby is a very important decision.
As you use the app you will be able to see how information from a research study may relate to you. We hope that this will help you make your decision.
You will be able to discuss your preference with your midwife at your 36 week antenatal appointment.
Your preference will then be recorded in your notes.
Please note We do our best to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
Choosing where to have your baby is a very important decision. If you are booked for midwifery led care and remain well during your pregnancy you have a choice about where you can have your baby.
You can choose to have your baby at home or in one of our maternity centres, Blake in Gosport, Grange in Petersfield or Portsmouth Maternity Centre. These are known as Freestanding Midwifery Units (FMU) as they are away from the hospital site and are run by midwives.
You can also choose the Alongside Midwifery Unit (AMU) at Queen Alexandra Hospital which is known as B5/Mary Rose; it is within the hospital site and is run by midwives.
Please remember that things can change in pregnancy and labour. Your midwife will advise you on the safest place to have your baby.
Birth Centre Choices
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There are birth pools in all our maternity units. If the pool is in use in the maternity centre of your choice you can use any of the available pools in the other midwifery units.
If you have medical or pregnancy related problems the safest place for you to give birth will be on the Labour Ward in hospital, unless you have been told otherwise. Please ask your midwife if you are unsure.
Your local Labour Ward is B8 at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.
Wendy Escott Labour Care
Problems viewing the interactive tour above? Click Here
Blake Maternity Centre, Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Bury Road, Gosport, PO12 3PW 02392 523651
Grange Maternity Centre, Petersfield Community Hospital, Petersfield, GU32 3LB 01730262415
Portsmouth Maternity Centre, St Marys Community Healthcare Campus, Milton Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6AD 023 8054 0777
Mary Rose (B5), Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, PO6 3LY 02392 286000 etn 3284
Having a baby in the UK is generally very safe. The risk to the baby for first time mothers is very low wherever you have your baby.
At a Home Birth over 990 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
At a birth in a Freestanding Midwifery Unit over 995 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
At a birth in an Alongside Midwifery Unit over 995 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
At a birth in an Obstetric Unitover over 994 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
Of the 1% babies who had undesirable outcomes:
Therefore risks to babies are very low.
Having a baby in the UK is generally very safe. The risk to the baby is very low wherever you have your baby.
At a Home Birth over 997 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
At a birth in a Freestanding Midwifery Unit over 997 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
At a birth in an Alongside Midwifery Unit over 997 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
At a birth in an Obstetric Unit over 996 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome.
Of the 1% babies who had undesirable outcomes:
Therefore risks to babies are very low.
You will be more relaxed in your own environment
You are more likely to have a normal birth
You are more likely to breastfeed
You can choose who you want with you
You are less likely to have a forceps, ventouse or c/section
You may have to transfer to hospital in labour because there are no doctors on site, click here for more transfer information
Water
Relaxation
Massage
Entonox (gas and air)
You would have to transfer to QAH Labour Ward for an epidural. Epidurals are only available on Labour Ward (B8)
The chances of a normal birth are 80 in 100 (80%)
The chances of a forceps delivery are 6 in 100 (6%)
The chances of a caesarean section are 8 in 100 (8%)
Over 990 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome
(National numbers taken from the Birthplace research)
Relaxing atmosphere
Two birth partners can be present
Birth pool available
Birth balls, swings and active labour equipment available
You are more likely to have a normal birth
You are more likely to breastfeed
You may have to transfer to hospital in labour because there are no doctors on site, click here for more transfer information
You are less likely to have a forceps, ventouse or c/section
Water
Relaxation
Massage
Entonox (gas and air)
Pethidine
You would have to transfer to QAH Labour Ward for an epidural
The chances of a normal birth are 83 in 100 (83%)
The chances of a caesarean section are 6 in 100 (6%)
The chances of a forceps delivery are 5 in 100 (5%)
Over 995 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome
(National numbers taken from the Birthplace research)
Relaxing Atmosphere
Hospital-like environment
Two birth partners can be present
Birth Pool available
Quick access to medical attention and pain relief on labour ward
You may need to be transferred to labour ward which is on the same floor
Water
Relaxation
Massage
Entonox (gas and air)
Pethidine
You would have to transfer to QAH Labour Ward for an epidural
The chances of a normal birth are 77 in 100 (77%)
The chances of a forceps delivery are 8 in 100 (8%)
The chances of a caesarean section are 7 in 100 (7%)
Over 995 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome
(National numbers taken from the Birthplace research)
You will be more relaxed in your own environment
You are more likely to have a normal birth
You are more likely to breastfeed
You can choose who you want with you including your children
You are less likely to have a forceps, ventouse or c/section
You may have to transfer to hospital in labour because there are no doctors on site, click here for more transfer information
Water
Relaxation
Massage
Entonox (gas and air)
You would have to transfer to QAH Labour Ward for an epidural. Epidurals are only available on Labour Ward (B8)
The chances of a normal birth are 98 in 100 (98%)
The chances of a forceps delivery are 0.4 in 100 (0.4%)
The chances of a caesarean section are 0.5 in 100 (0.5%)
998 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome
(National numbers taken from the Birthplace research)
Relaxing atmosphere
Two birth partners can be present
Birth pool available
Birth balls, swings and active labour equipment available
You are more likely to have a normal birth
You are more likely to breastfeed
You may have to transfer to hospital in labour because there are no doctors on site, click here for more transfer information
You are less likely to have a forceps, ventouse or c/section
Water
Relaxation
Massage
Entonox (gas and air)
Pethidine
You would have to transferred to QAH Labour Ward for an epidural
The chances of a normal birth are 98 in 100 (98%)
The chances of a caesarean section are 0.6 in 100 (0.6%)
The chances of a forceps delivery are 0.7 in 100 (0.7%)
Over 997 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome
(National numbers taken from the Birthplace research)
Relaxing Atmosphere
Hospital-like environment
Two birth partners can be present
Birth Pool available
Quick access to medical attention and pain relief on labour ward
You may need to be transferred to labour ward which is on the same floor
Water
Relaxation
Massage
Entonox (gas and air)
Pethidine
You would have to transfer to QAH Labour Ward for an epidural
The chances of a normal birth are 97 in 100 (97%)
The chances of a forceps delivery are 1 in 100 (1%)
The chances of a caesarean section are 1 in 100 (1%)
Over 997 babies in 1000 had a desirable outcome
(National numbers taken from the Birthplace research)
What shall I do next?
Talk to your partner and find out their feelings. Use this app with your family and friends. Discuss your options with your midwife.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
What shall I do next?
Talk to your partner and find out their feelings. Use this app with your family and friends. Discuss your options with your midwife.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
What shall I do next?
Talk to your partner and find out their feelings. Use this app with your family and friends. Discuss your options with your midwife.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
What shall I do next?
Talk to your partner and find out their feelings. Use this app with your family and friends. Discuss your options with your midwife.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
What shall I do next?
Talk to your partner and find out their feelings. Use this app with your family and friends. Discuss your options with your midwife.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
What shall I do next?
Talk to your partner and find out their feelings. Use this app with your family and friends. Discuss your options with your midwife.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
Please note: We are happy to support your choice. However, there are some rare occasions when your choice cannot be supported when you go into labour.
The majority of transfers to hospital are not urgent. If an emergency transfer is required, the midwife will request a blue light ambulance.
Number of women transferred – these are national numbers taken from the Birthplace research
Your labour is slower than we would expect
You would like an epidural
Your baby needs to be monitored more closely during labour
Your baby may need medical attention at birth
You may need medical attention after birth
(From AMU: 5 in 4401 sampled)
Transfer Times to QA
Transfer times are approximate and may vary unexpectedly if all ambulances are busy or there are traffic delays. All midwives are fully trained to deal with emergency situations and will be with you throughout your transfer.
The total time taken from calling an URGENT ambulance at Portsmouth Maternity Centre to arriving at Queen Alexandra Hospital is 30 minutes on average.
The total time taken from calling a NON URGENT ambulance at Portsmouth Maternity Centre to arriving at Queen Alexandra Hospital is 1 hour on average.
The total time taken from calling an URGENT ambulance at The Grange Maternity Centre to arriving at Queen Alexandra Hospital is 50 minutes on average.
The total time taken from calling a NON URGENT ambulance at The Grange Maternity Centre to arriving at Queen Alexandra Hospital is 1 hour and 20 minutes on average.
The total time taken from calling an URGENT ambulance at Blake Maternity Centre to arriving at Queen Alexandra Hospital is 55 minutes on average.
The total time taken from calling a NON URGENT ambulance at Blake Maternity Centre to arriving at Queen Alexandra Hospital is 1 hour and 30 minutes on average.
