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At Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals, Maternity Unit we offer comprehensive care through our shared care service. Our team include expert Midwifery (and support) staff, Obstetric Consultants and Anaesthetists, Obstetric and anaesthetic doctors (Registrars and Senior House Officers) working with your GP to ensure the most appropriate care and the most appropriate setting.

Our Services Include:

• Pre-natal diagnostic screening
• Bereavement support services
• Parent-craft education sessions
• Infant feeding support services
• Maternity Assessment Centre
• Specialist services for at risk or vulnerable women
• Perinatal Mental Health and Counselling Service
• Expert Birthing Service both in Delivery Suite or in Midwife Led Birthing Unit, including choices of waterbirth, mobile epidural or birthing at home
• Specialist care by a Multidisciplinary Expert Team in Endocrine Disorders, including Pre-conceptual Counselling
• Birthing Information Group (parent craft classes), including Saturday Tours of the Unit

Ultrasound Scans

Two routine scans are offered – one at approximately 12 weeks for screening purposes. The second ultrasound scan is between 18 and 22 weeks and is a detailed scan to assess your baby's condition and wellbeing.

Antenatal care

Following the GP referral, woman will be referred and booked to see a Midwife. However future developments will involve a change to direct access to the midwife without an appointment and referral from the GP. The GP can access maternity services by a referral letter or using the Direct Access Process to the Community Midiwfe. At booking a risk scoring assessment will determine the risk category (that is, high or low risk). All low risk women will receive antenatal care in the community setting by a community midwife. All high risk women will receive antenatal care at the hospital under the supervision of their named Obstetric Consultant.

Specialist Antenatal Services

For women diagnosed with any endocrine condition e.g. diabetes or thyroid conditions, there is a specialist team consisting of a Consultant Obstetrician, a Medical Consultant (specialising in endocrine abnormalities), Diabetic Nurse Specialists, and Specialist Midwives in Diabetes and Thyroid - who will care for woman throughout their pregnancy.

Maternity Assessment Centre

The Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC) is open 8am – 8pm from Monday to Friday.

Birthing options

Women will be offered the following birthing options:

Home Birth

Home births will be discussed with the community midwife when the women see them at the time of booking maternity care. However, if they wish to make this decision further on in their pregnancy they can do so, but this needs to be discussed with the midwife by 36 weeks of pregnancy

Midwife Led Birthing Unit – for problem-free pregnancies

• Run by experienced midwives specialising in normality, natural labour and birth
• Midwifery care in a calm and peaceful environment
• Located within the Maternity Unit with immediate access to specialist services if needed
• Water birth pool available for water birth – which can be used for pain relief
• Birthing balls, floor mats available
• Other pain management options include:- Gas and air and pethidine injuection
• Early discharge within 6 – 24 hours of the birth

Labour and Delivery Care

A suite for women with normal and more complex labours with immediate access to specialists in maternity care:

• Run by experienced midwives, obstetricians and anaesthetists skilled in promoting normal and more complex labours
• Equipped with up to date high tech equipment
• Co-ordinated midwifery and obstetric care in a relaxed and friendly environment
• A variety of pain management offered. Including: Gas and air, pethidine injection and mobile epidural (available 24 hours a day)
• Access to immediate medical assistance in case of complications

Antenatal Inpatient Care

• Run by experienced midwives and obstetricians skilled in the provision of antenatal care

• The woman will receive expert care and investigations in relation to any antenatal complications that may occur during your pregnancy

Post Natal Care

• Run by experienced midwives and obstetrician, and paediatricians skilled in the provision of postnatal care
• Experienced midwives and support staff will provide your care following the birth of your baby
• Support provided with infant feeding (breast or bottle)
• Support provided for baby care needs (bathing, changing nappies, reducing the risk of cot death etc.)
• Direct access to paediatric support where required Information and advice on postnatal care needs (e.g. postnatal exercises, family planning, vaginal discharge etc.)

Contacts:

Cedar Ward (Antenatal and Postnatal): 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3540

Day Assess Unit: 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 8812

Labour Ward : 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3551

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3530

Willow Ward (Midwife Led Birthing Unit): 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3560