At Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, we want your birthing experience to be as positive and fulfilling as we can make it.

It is often a personal choice in terms of where you want to have your baby and for that reason we offer three options: our midwifery-led unit; the consultant-led unit or home birth. The nature of your pregnancy may determine which of the three options best suits your needs. 

Please contact your community midwife to find out if you are suitable for the pre-birth clinic. This is available from 39 weeks of pregnancy. 

You may be offered aromatherapy, acupressure in a 45-minute session to encourage your body to prepare for labour. This may include a cervical sweep and discussion around other methods available to you to encourage you body to prepare for birth.

Details of Induction of labour at Liverpool Women’s University Hospital can be found below. This includes the reasons why induction of labour might be recommended and how you can choose to be induced.

Many women are choosing to give birth at home because they see giving birth as a normal physiological process rather than an illness and therefore feel no need to go into hospital. It is suitable for women who are considered to be low risk or have no underlying medical conditions. As part of an informed choice any woman, including first time mums can have a home birth, although they are more likely to be transferred to hospital for pain relief or following a prolonged labour than those who have had babies before. There are real advantages of giving birth in relaxing and familiar surroundings.

It is worth noting that you won’t have access to every kind of pain relief, such as an epidural, and that if complications do develop you may need to be transferred to hospital. If you are considered high risk and still wish to have your baby at home, you will usually meet with our Consultant Midwife to devise a suitable plan of care. 

Midwife at Home team 

The Midwife at Home team is a group of experienced midwives, dedicated to providing midwifery care throughout the pregnancy journey to low-risk women who are considering giving birth at home. 

Supported by our community midwives, the Liverpool Women’s Midwife at Home Team provide a 24-hour service, seven days a week giving you access to a known midwife throughout your pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born. 

The continuity of care that the team provide makes it easy to develop relationships with the team of midwives over the course of your pregnancy, achieving more continuity and one to one care determined by your individual needs and circumstances. 

If you are cared for by the Midwife at Home Team, you will be able to choose from a range of suitable locations for the majority of your antenatal appointments, whether that be at a local clinic or at home. 

If you are considering a home birth and would like to find out more information please contact the Team by calling or texting on 07976835735 or by email at home.birth@lwh.nhs.uk. 

At Liverpool Women's University Hospital, we want your birthing experience to be as positive and fulfilling as we can make it. It is often a personal choice in terms of where you want to have your baby and for that reason we offer three options: our midwifery-led unit; the consultant-led unit Delivery Suite or theatre; or home birth. The nature of your pregnancy may determine which of the three options best suits your needs, all of these places can be discussed with your midwife.  

With a planned home birth, there is still a chance of transferring to the hospital during labour or afterwards. The chances of transfer are higher for first births (45%) than subsequent births (12%).  

If anaesthetic or surgery is required a hospital birth is required. 

Liverpool Women's University Hospital provides an alongside midwife-led birthing environment designed for women with low-risk pregnancies. Our birthing rooms offer a calm, home-like atmosphere with en-suite facilities, ensuring privacy and comfort. 

To support active, natural birth, we provide three birthing pools, birthing balls, and adaptable furniture that accommodates various birthing positions, offering physical support throughout labour. A dedicated team of experienced midwives and healthcare assistants is on hand to provide personalised care, helping you and your family welcome your baby in a peaceful setting. 

A range of pain relief options is available, including aromatherapy, acupressure, hypnobirthing, and hydrotherapy. If you require an epidural or if additional medical support is needed for you or your baby, you will be transferred to the adjacent consultant-led Delivery suite.  

MLU contact number: 0151 702 4270.

This is where anyone who isn't low-risk will go to have their baby. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, are being induced or are having a ceasarean section, you will also have your baby here. The rooms are larger with more specialist equipment ready for if it is needed.

All rooms have en-suite. There is a separate induction suite for women who are having their labour induced. 

To contact the Delivery Suite, please call 0151 708 9988.

A birth plan is a record of what you would like to happen during labour and after the birth, after you have learnt about the different ways you can give birth; pain relief options; and what other things might be important to you to consider and plan for.  You can talk about this with your midwife. 

If you haven’t discussed it earlier, the community midwives see pregnant woman at around 36 weeks of pregnancy to talk through with them their birth plan and provide more information and advice to help you prepare.  

Our aim is to ensure your time in hospital is a positive experience. Our midwives and doctors are trained to take care of you in a professional way and with sensitivity in keeping with the values of Liverpool Women’s. Remember to plan your route to hospital in advance and arrange who is going to bring you. This helps to reduce any worries you may have when the time comes.  

When you get to the maternity unit  

On arrival at the maternity unit, staff will welcome you and check your details. They will guide you through the admission process and answer any immediate questions you may have. During your stay, you will be required to wear a patient ID band. Your baby will also wear two ID bands following the birth. These bands will use the surname of the baby's mother.  

Here's just a list of a few items you may want to bring.

For you 

  • Snacks and drinks for labour (pack some lucozade- it will help keep your energy levels up)
  • Clothes for labour - an old nighty, tshirt, and bikini top if you want to go in the pool
  • Hair bobbles/clips - to keep your hair off your face when in labour  
  • Hairbrush
  • Toiletry bag- shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, flannel
  • Towel
  • Maternity pads 
  • Big knickers (cotton knickers are best, make sure they are comfy)  
  • Nighty or pyjamas for after baby is born- you may need a couple of pairs
  • Phone charger
  • Lip balm (gas and air can make your lips go dry)
  • Slippers
  • Non-wired or maternity bras
  • Breast pads
  • Clothes to go home from hospital in 
  • Wet wipes - to freshen yourself up with
  • Dressing gown or robe, (or house coat if that's what you call it!)  
  • If breastfeeding, you may want to buy some Lansinoh cream (a good nipple cream). This is available from most supermarkets and pharmacies.  

For baby 

  • Nappies
  • Cotton wool - it's recommended you use this and water to clean baby's bum until one month of age
  • Vests
  • Sleepsuits/ baby grow's  
  • Scratch mitts
  • Socks
  • Hat 
  • Cardigan 
  • Nappy bags
  • Barrier cream- such as Sudocrem or Metanium
  • Bibs
  • Ready made formula milk if you are not breastfeeding, you can buy this in cartons or bottles. (you won't need bottles- we supply these)  
  • Muslin cloths - for when baby vomits
  • Outfit to go home in
  • Car seat - make sure you know how to work this before you go home
  • Two blankets
  • Coat or snowsuit to go home in. 

For Dad/birth partner

  • Change of clothes  
  • Deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Change for drinks/snacks machines and parking
  • Camera 
  • Mobile phone and charger.  
  • Tablet/laptop with music and something to watch - download this at home
  • A travel pillow to rest your head - labour can take a while.