st james maternity ward tour

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We are here to support you, from finding out you are pregnant through to birth and as you begin parenthood. In Leeds we offer a range of services in hospital, community and home settings.

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Contact Leeds Maternity

Do you need urgent help or advice?

To speak to a midwife urgently, please phone the Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC) at any time: -Leeds General Infirmary 0113 3926731 -St James’s Hospital 0113 2065781 If your question is not urgent or you are phoning about an appointment, please see the maternity contact page for alternative numbers.

A virtual tour of Maternity services at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital

Welcome to Leeds Teaching Hospitals, I’m Philippa I’m one of the midwives and I’m going to lead you on a virtual tour of the unit. This tour has been designed to give you an overview of the services and facilities we provide at LGI and St James’s Hospital in Leeds. The Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC) is on the fifth floor of Gledhow Wing which can be accessed by the lift or stairs. Maternity Assessment Unit at LGI is on C floor of Clarendon wing. To enter maternity assessment press the intercom and a member of staff will open the door as soon as possible to help protect our mums and babies from risk of infection. Please use the hand gel when you enter the unit and move from area to area. MAC is where you will first meet a midwife. They will establish how your labour is progressing and she will discuss with you the most appropriate place for you to be, help you identify your needs and plan your care. If you need to stay in hospital during your pregnancy you will stay on the antenatal ward. This ward has bays with between four and six beds and single side rooms for women who have specific clinical needs. If your labour is being induced then you’ll come to the antenatal award for your induction of labour. Once you’re in established labour you’ll be taken to Delivery Suite. At St James’s the Delivery Suite is a combined consultant-led and midwifery-led unit where midwives work closely with you and your family to help you throughout the birth of your baby. At LGI the Delivery Suite has a consultant-led unit for women needing monitoring in labour and a midwife-led unit called the Lotus Midwifery Unit or LMU. This is designed for women choosing to give birth naturally in a welcoming and relaxed environment. If you choose the LMU for the birth of your baby you’ll be cared for exclusively by midwives. Midwives actively support women who wish to use hypnobirthing and complementary therapies. At St James’s we have eight delivery rooms, two water birth rooms and one active birth room. At LGI we have 11 delivery rooms including one water birth room. The Lotus Midwifery unit has one delivery room and two water birth rooms. The birthing rooms at St James’s and the water birth rooms at LGI have ensuite facilities. All rooms are designed to make women feel comfortable and to help them remain active during their labour. Women will often use a variety of positions and birthing equipment such as birthing balls, mats and bean bags to enhance their birthing experience. The rooms are designed to be comfortable in labour but also to have all the medical equipment we may need for more complicated births. In Leeds we actively encourage and support women who wish to labour and birth their baby in water. The birthing pool has a calming and relaxing effect and is very popular for women. Sometimes the safest option for you and your baby is to have a caesarean section. If you have a planned or unplanned caesarean section these take place in one of our theatres based on Delivery Suite. We have two theatres at LGI and two at St James’s. Following a caesarean section you’ll go to the recovery area with your baby until you’re ready to go to the postnatal ward. After your baby has been born you and your baby will move to the postnatal ward where you will stay until you go home. Most women and babies will be ready to go home soon after birth, usually the day after. Postnatal Ward has bays with between four and six beds in each bay area and single side rooms. The single side rooms are reserved for women with specific clinical needs or if the woman’s baby is on neonatal unit. The postnatal ward has a team of midwives and maternity support assistants who will be able to offer all the help, advice and support you will need in caring for yourself and your baby during your stay with us. At Leeds Teaching Hospitals we actively encourage and support breastfeeding and all midwives and maternity support assistants are trained to help you with feeding. Our infant feeding team is available for advice and support. If you decide to formula feed your baby you’ll need to bring in formula starter packs with you. Unfortunately we’re unable to provide formula milk and have no facilities for cleaning, sterilizing and making up bottles of formula milk. Our neonatal unit offers the highest level of care and supports all newborn babies with specialist needs. If your baby needs extra monitoring from our service, the team will provide you with information and support throughout your baby’s stay with us. We hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual tour. For more information please visit our website or talk to your community midwife.

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• Page last reviewed: 04/04/2024

Taking a Hospital Tour During Pregnancy

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Read this next, when should you take a hospital tour , why are so many hospital tours virtual and how do virtual tours work, what can you learn during a hospital tour, questions to ask during a hospital or birthing center tour, updates history, jump to your week of pregnancy, trending on what to expect, signs of labor, pregnancy calculator, ⚠️ you can't see this cool content because you have ad block enabled., top 1,000 baby girl names in the u.s., top 1,000 baby boy names in the u.s., braxton hicks contractions and false labor.

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A Hospital Birth in Leeds

It is your choice where you have your baby. If you are considered high risk or have any medical conditions, you may be advised to have your baby in hospital. In Leeds there are two hopsitals where you can choose to have your baby – Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) or St James’ University Hospital (SJUH). Leeds are also incredibly lucky to have The Lotus Midwifery Led Unit (LMU) at LGI. Depending on your medical history, you can opt to birth your baby at the maternity unit at either LGI or SJUH, or at the LMU. Ask your doctor or midwife about any of these options.

What is a hospital birth in a maternity unit?

A maternity unit birth in a hospital, means that you will be looked after by midwives, but doctors will also be available, if they are needed. If you experience any complications during labour, obstetricians will be able to care for you too. This includes intervention care such as forceps, ventouse, episiotomy or caesarean section. Once your baby is born, if they are born with any complications, they can be easily transferred to the neonatal team or special care baby unit, to receive any care that they require.

A maternity unit can offer you various pain relief options, such as anaesthetics (epidural, general anaesthetics), water birth, gas and air, and pethidine. Midwives will be able to monitor you and your baby if they need to and they will be able to access various kinds of equipment, to assist with complicated births.

After the birth of your baby, midwives and maternity care assistants will be able to help you care for yourself and your baby. Leeds hospitals support and encourage breastfeeding and are available to offer you any help and support that you require.

What is the Lotus Midwifery Led Unit? (LMU)

The LMU is a birthing centre for pregnant women who are “low risk” and want to give birth in a home from home environment. They can also be easily transferred to maternity care if they need to have epidurals, obstetric care, interventions or neonatal care.

The Lotus Midwifery Led Unit at Leeds General Infirmary is situated at the end of the delivery suite on L44. It is a separate area to the delivery suite and inside the Lotus suite you will find 3 birthing room. 1 is a delivery room and 2 are water birth rooms. The LMU has calming colours, low lighting and various types of active birth equipment. There is plenty of space to move around when in active labour and you will be looked after and supported by just your named midwife, instead of various clinicians.

The room will be mainly free of any medical reminders, but you will find a free-standing K2 electronic screen notes system and Entonox (gas and air).

What happens at a hospital birth?

You will most likely be cared for by various midwives on shift, as your labour progresses. These midwives will be different to the community midwife who cared for you during your pregnancy. When you arrive at hospital, you will be seen by a midwife in the maternity assessment centre (MAC) or in the antenatal day unit (ANDU). The midwife will determine how advanced your labour is and you will then be either sent to the labour ward or delivery suite, where you will then be greeted and cared for by another midwife. Once your baby is born, you may then be moved to the postnatal ward, where another team of midwives will care for you and your baby. In certain areas of Leeds, we are privileged to have a great team of midwives who are part of the continuity of carer program. If you live in an area of Leeds, where this continuity pathway is taking place, you will see the same team of midwives who will care for you antenatally, in labour and after birth. Your midwife will be able to advise you on whether you will be able to be cared for under the continuity pathway.

Birthing your baby in a Leeds hospital

Useful information if you decide to deliver your baby in a Leeds hospital:

• Maternity Services at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) can be found at Clarendon Wing – C Floor
• Maternity Services at St James’s University Hospital (SJUH) can be found at Gledhow Wing – Level 5
• SJUH has 8 delivery rooms, 2 water birth rooms and 1 active birth room.
• LGI has 11 delivery rooms, 1 water birth room and The Lotus Midwifery Unit.
• SJUH birthing rooms all have ensuite facilities and the water birth rooms at LGI have ensuite facilities too.
• The postnatal wards at both hospitals have bays, with between 4-6 beds in them. For women with specific clinical care needs or where their baby is the neonatal unit, they are offered single side rooms. If there are single side rooms available, you can request these rooms on a first come, first served basis. They cannot be reserved. The cost of these rooms are £55 for 24 hours and don’t include a bathroom or £75 for 24 hours and include an ensuite.

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The journey to parenthood

Congratulations! Whether you are pregnant or just beginning to plan for a baby, MedStar Health would like to be your resource for information. Since it's our business to know first-hand the many decisions you face, we want to help you with the planning stages of your pregnancy.

Preconception

If you are planning to become pregnant:

Make an appointment to see your physician

Review your personal medical history and note any missed vaccinations, childhood diseases

Check your diet—eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Abstain from any alcohol, drugs, or smoking for the duration of your pregnancy

The first trimester

Make your first prenatal appointment  as soon as you think you are pregnant

Check with your health plan and doctor for information on parent education classes

Your health care provider may recommend a vitamin supplement

Morning sickness may set in with your first missed period and persist through the first trimester—bland carbohydrates, like bread and crackers, may help nausea

Expect the onset of cravings and mood swings: your body is readjusting its hormone levels

Expect sensitivity to strong odors and gases

• Your baby experiences everything you do
• Strong chemicals, cleaning solutions, and even natural gas can be hazardous to your baby's development

You will notice your clothes are getting tighter

Mile markers

4th week: Your baby is approximately a quarter-inch long. The cells that make up the heart begin to beat. Eyes and ears are visible.

8th week: Your baby is now one inch long, with noticeable head growth (signifying brain development), facial features, and more defined appendages.

12th week: Your baby is approximately three inches long and weighs one ounce. Vital systems are forming, and it may be possible to determine the baby's gender.

The second trimester

Good news—if morning sickness has not ended, it will soon. In no time you will feel the best you have in months

Investigate classes to help you reduce stress, increase comfort, and prepare yourself and family members for birth

Just as important as eating well throughout your pregnancy, drink plenty of water. Water relieves constipation, and a healthy diet helps your baby increase its body fat during this stage.

16th week: Your baby is four to  six inches long and weighs up to four ounces. You will feel the baby move more, and a heartbeat can be detected with special equipment.

20th week: Your baby is approximately 10 inches long and weighs up to one pound. The baby may feel more active, and a clear heartbeat can be heard.

24th week: Your baby is 12 to 14 inches long and weighs up to 24 ounces.

The third trimester

Prepared childbirth classes are a must by the seventh month. You due date is only an approximation, and you want to be prepared. Call the Hospital Center's Parent Services department at 202-877-6161 to schedule classes.

Make decisions on circumcision

Make birthing plans. The delivery day can come at any time, and you should have a game plan for the big event.

Look for infant care and support. If you will be returning to work you will want to supervise any caretaker or facility for the first couple of days to ensure everything goes well. If you plan to breastfeed, check with your employer's Human Resources department for a place to pump.

By the eighth month, install a car seat. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely and be sure to keep the car seat out of the front seat and away from all airbags.

As you approach delivery, your baby will move into position in preparation for birth. Lightening, when the baby's head descends into the pelvis, can happen at any time and is not necessarily an indication that labor is about to begin.

28th week: During the seventh month, the infant is approximately 15 inches long and up to two and a half pounds. Your baby's eyelids may be open, and the baby can distinguish light and sound outside the uterus.

32nd week: The infant is nearly 16 inches long and weighs about four pounds. The baby will begin sleeping and waking.

36th week: During the ninth and final month, the infant is approximately 19 inches long and weighs seven to eight pounds. The baby will continue to gain approximately one half pound a week.

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Labor and Delivery

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Patients who deliver their babies at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center can expect to find a warm, supportive staff that will guide you through the birth of your baby. The Labor area consists of 8 private rooms where you will labor, deliver, and recover. Your delivery will be supported with a holistic, family-centered approach. We can accommodate a variety of birthing plans, including the use of birthing balls, epidurals and alternative coping techniques such as breathing and meditation. 

When you visit our Labor and Delivery floor, you will find quality medical care, with modern technology, mixed with a welcoming spirit to give you the best obstetric care. Questions are always welcome by physicians, midwives, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff. Pain control options are explained thoroughly.

If it is necessary for you to have a c-section, the procedure will be done on this unit by the same staff that cared for you throughout your labor. Patients are highly satisfied with the care they receive in our Labor and Delivery unit, as evidence by our high patient satisfaction survey rate.

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Leeds General or St James?

13 comments

• n Nj3682 Posted 18-04-18 I went to the LGI with my 1st and canday from the moment I went in to get induced to the moment I left they were all so nice, nothing was too much trouble and that was with St James’ delivery suite being closed to new patients aswell. I’m booked in to the LGI next week to do it all again!!! 😳

I'm so glad you have posted about this as this is literally my dilemma at the mo!

we've only lived in Leeds for a year so not very familiar with either hospital - from the pics I've seen online St James' delivery rooms look more 'basic' than LGI and also I'm really keen for a water birth and LGI's water birth rooms look nicer!

However the parking at LGI is awful so..

I really can't decide...

I'm so glad you have posted about this as this is literally my dile…

Maternity Unit Tour

Contact information.

The tour will include the Labor & Delivery, postpartum and nursery areas. Common hospital care practices and routines will be discussed. Please bring a photo ID as these are secure units and you will need to obtain a visitor pass. Meet at the Labor & Delivery security area which is located on the 5th floor of the main hospital building (Bell Hospital Tower). Enter the Bell Hospital through the main entrance on Cambridge Street. Parking is available in the P3 parking garage. Tours will take about 10 to 15 minutes. Registration is required and groups size is limited. Registration includes birthing person and a support person.

The University of Kansas Health System 4000 Cambridge Street Bell Hospital Tower Kansas City , KS 66160 United States

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St John’s Hospital Labour Ward

The labour ward in St John’s Hospital Maternity Unit has a friendly, relaxing and welcoming environment. The labour ward is run by a team of midwives, consultant obstetricians, maternity care assistants and clinical support workers who provide care and support throughout your labour and in the early hours following the birth of your baby.

“I’m a passionate and dedicated senior midwife and I strive to provide individualised, holistic, respectful, and safe care. I compassionately lead a fantastic team of dedicated midwives and healthcare staff within the Labour Ward at St John’s Hospital. Our aim is to ensure a seamless maternity journey”.  Senior Charge Midwife, Labour Ward, St. John’s Hospital

What to expect on a labour ward (also called obstetric unit)?

An obstetric unit means there is on-site access to specialist services such as obstetricians and operating theatres, as well as specialist neonatal and anaesthetic care. Midwives will provide the direct care to all women during their stay in the labour ward with access and support from medical staff around decision making and performing certain procedures.

The labour ward is often the place of birth recommended to women who have certain complications in their current and/or previous pregnancies and will require additional monitoring or support during labour. An onsite team of anaesthetists ensures that women who know they wish to have an epidural during labour will have access to this service.

 Giving birth on the labour ward is also recommended when it is known the baby will require additional support or care at birth.

What facilities does the labour ward at St John’s Hospital have?

• There are nine birth rooms available. 
• 3 of the birth rooms have a birthing pool.
• All the rooms have ensuite facilities (toilet and walk-in shower with seat).
• You will have access to equipment such as birthing balls, peanut balls and ballet barres should you wish to use these. If you’d prefer to bring your own birthing ball, you are welcome to do so.
• There is a full range of pain relief options available to you. Including; aromatherapy oils, gas and air (Entonox), morphine injection, remifentanil and epidural.
• Each birth room has access to a full range of monitoring equipment should it be required to monitor you and your baby during your labour and birth.
• There is a maternity theatre available within the labour ward.
• Should your baby require assistance at birth there is a room equipped with resuscitaires a few steps down the corridor. Birth partners are very welcome to accompany the baby at all times.

After your baby is born

• After you have had your baby, you will spend the first few hours being cared for by the midwives in your room on the labour ward.
• If there is any further monitoring or support recommended for you or your baby you will be transferred to the postnatal ward for this ongoing care. If all is well with you and your baby and no further checks or monitoring is required you may be able to go straight home from labour ward when the time is right and appropriate for you and your baby.

Useful to know

The air in the birth rooms is circulated, filtered and refreshed continuously as the windows do not open. We can provide free-standing fans when needed. You can bring your own hand-held fan and cooling sprays if you wish to do so.

We are in the process of ordering floor mats for the birth rooms. In the meantime, you may want to bring your own floor mat if you wish to use one.

We will provide you with cool water and light snacks. You can also bring your own favourite snacks to sustain you during your labour.

Should your birth partner need food or drink, there is a WHSmith shop and a café open during daytime hours (near the main entrance to the hospital). There are also vending machines around the hospital.

Finding the Maternity Unit

St john’s hospital maternity unit.

St John’s Hospital Maternity Unit Howden Road West Livingston EH54 6PP    Phone number of the labour ward: 01506 524 125 Phone number of the postnatal ward (ward 11): 01506 524 111

When arriving at St John’s Hospital follow the signs to the Maternity Unit. You can park in the small car park near the entrance for a short while and move your car later to the main car park. Parking is free .

When you arrive at the entrance to the labour ward, please ring the bell located to the right-hand side of the door and a member of the team will come and greet you.

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Obstetrics and Maternity

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Having a baby is one of life’s very special moments. That’s why we do everything we can to make your time here with us everything you hope it will be. Our philosophy is that this is your birth, so you should have it your way.

There are many ways we make giving birth at St. Mary’s special, including:

• Labor, delivery, recovery, and post-partum care all in one room, with the same team of highly trained nurses caring for you.
• A great provider to patient ratio that makes sure you are always at the center of attention.
• Your baby stays with you all the time.
• We offer skin to skin in the operating room and families stay together as a unit in the OR.
• A hydrotherapy tub is available to be used during any part of labor. Some moms find this a comfort measure, providing relaxation and pain relief.
• There’s also a café for families and visitors.
• Newborn photography is available upon request and photos may be posted to St. Mary’s social media accounts
• We play a lullaby over the loud speakers within the hospital every time a baby is born.
• We offer post-discharge lactation support, by appointment.
• Parents can bring their baby back to the maternity unit and have a one-on-one consultation with our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Midwifery Care At St. Mary’s, we’ve made a commitment to providing moms with the option of midwifery care. Our certified midwife has been specially trained to help you stay healthy and low-risk throughout your pregnancy. And research has found that under the care of midwives, women are more likely to have lower C-section rates and higher rates of breastfeeding. Our midwives work in close collaboration with our OB/GYNs. At any time during your pregnancy and delivery should you require the attention of an OB/GYN, they are standing by to assist you.

So, whether you decide to use a midwife or an OB/GYN, your healthcare providers at St. Mary’s will be working together to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Lactation Consultant  At St. Mary’s, we offer fulltime lactation support to all breastfeeding or pumping moms, including advice and counseling to help you successfully breastfeed your baby, if you choose to do so.

Childbirth Education Classes At St. Mary’s our free, comprehensive childbirth preparation classes are taught by our experienced labor and delivery nurses. They will help you to feel fully prepared for your birthing experience. The program covers the latest evidence-based information to help you prepare for pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. Classes even include instruction on infant CPR. Tours of our maternity unit are offered to all childbirth class attendees. If you do not attend a childbirth education class but would like a tour, please contact our Maternity Unit. We also provide a variety of local, as well as nationally-recognized, resources for mothers and parents to be.

Extended Hours Looking for a new OB/GYN but having difficulty finding a provider with hours that are more convenient with your schedule? Our OB/GYN health Center is offering later evening hours to help accommodate your needs. Please contact the office at (518) 842-0373.

Available at these Locations

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